Paper cutting is an ancient Chinese art that was developed about 2,000 years ago in the Han dynasty, right after paper was invented. Artists in different regions of China have invented many local styles of paper cutouts over the years. In the local shops of Beijing, you can buy exquisite paper cutouts done in different styles.
Paper cutouts are generally used to decorate windows, doors, and walls with auspicious pictures, thus earning the name "chuang hua," or "window flower" in Chinese. Most pieces show a symmetrical design with images of landscapes, houses, people, animals, or flowers. Cutouts designed for festivals usually have an auspicious Chinese character, like "Fu" or "Shou," which mean Fortune and Longevity, in the middle of the picture. Paper cutting is traditionally a woman's activity.
During the Tang dynasty, Chinese paper cutting was developed into a fine art. Cutouts from this period are preserved by the British Museum in London and show a high level of craftsmanship. During the Song dynasty, paper cutting became a favorite hobby among Chinese, as the thriving paper industry enabled people to use a whole range of new paper products. The porcelain items made in this period show many patterns designed based on paper cutouts. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, this art reached its zenith.
In China, there are three major styles of paper cutting developed by artisans in different regions of the country. They are the southern style, the Jiangzhe style, and the northern style.
The Southern Style: This style includes work produced in Foshan, Wuhan, and Fujian.
Foshan - Foshan artisans have a long history of making paper cutouts. The work produced here is popular with both Chinese and overseas customers. People like them for their strong colors and luxurious designs.
Wuhan - Wuhan's paper cutting is influenced by the local "Chu" culture. Paper cutouts produced here are famous for their vivid pictures and deep cultural meanings. Some of the best paper cutout artists of China are from this area.
Fujian - Paper cutouts produced in Fujian province are known for their animal designs. The interesting design of a famous work called "Chicken-Feet Flower" is cherished by many.
The Jiangzhe Style: This style includes paper cutouts made in China's Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.
Jiangsu - Jiangsu artists make paper cutouts with beautiful flower designs. The flowers depicted are delicate, lifelike, and give a sense of romance.
Zhejiang - Zhejiang paper cutouts have elegant designs and exquisite craftsmanship. The designs usually show things in nature and "Yue" play characters. Some of the cutouts are used to decorate lanterns.
The Northern Style: There are three famous northern styles: the Shanxi style, Shaanxi style, and Shandong style.
Shanxi - People in the villages of Shanxi province traditionally live in small caves. One of the most important decorations in their cave-houses are paper cutouts. Their cutouts are simple in design and convey a sense of roughness, typical of the character of the people living in the north of China.
Shaanxi - The geographical location of Shaanxi province is isolated from the rest of China. For this reason, the paper cutouts produced here have preserved many of the oldest patterns from ancient Chinese culture. They are nicknamed "living fossils."
Shangdong - Shangdong paper cutouts are known for their exquisite craftsmanship and unique local characteristics. Village women in the province like to put small pieces of paper on windows that eventually create a large, complete work. Paper cutouts made in this way have a unique look.
When you are in Beijing, go shopping for some beautiful paper cutouts in the city's amazing local shops. It's best to find a personal shopper to assist you in shopping, because this person knows the locations of the best shops and can give you information on the products you buy.
Paper cutouts are generally used to decorate windows, doors, and walls with auspicious pictures, thus earning the name "chuang hua," or "window flower" in Chinese. Most pieces show a symmetrical design with images of landscapes, houses, people, animals, or flowers. Cutouts designed for festivals usually have an auspicious Chinese character, like "Fu" or "Shou," which mean Fortune and Longevity, in the middle of the picture. Paper cutting is traditionally a woman's activity.
During the Tang dynasty, Chinese paper cutting was developed into a fine art. Cutouts from this period are preserved by the British Museum in London and show a high level of craftsmanship. During the Song dynasty, paper cutting became a favorite hobby among Chinese, as the thriving paper industry enabled people to use a whole range of new paper products. The porcelain items made in this period show many patterns designed based on paper cutouts. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, this art reached its zenith.
In China, there are three major styles of paper cutting developed by artisans in different regions of the country. They are the southern style, the Jiangzhe style, and the northern style.
The Southern Style: This style includes work produced in Foshan, Wuhan, and Fujian.
Foshan - Foshan artisans have a long history of making paper cutouts. The work produced here is popular with both Chinese and overseas customers. People like them for their strong colors and luxurious designs.
Wuhan - Wuhan's paper cutting is influenced by the local "Chu" culture. Paper cutouts produced here are famous for their vivid pictures and deep cultural meanings. Some of the best paper cutout artists of China are from this area.
Fujian - Paper cutouts produced in Fujian province are known for their animal designs. The interesting design of a famous work called "Chicken-Feet Flower" is cherished by many.
The Jiangzhe Style: This style includes paper cutouts made in China's Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.
Jiangsu - Jiangsu artists make paper cutouts with beautiful flower designs. The flowers depicted are delicate, lifelike, and give a sense of romance.
Zhejiang - Zhejiang paper cutouts have elegant designs and exquisite craftsmanship. The designs usually show things in nature and "Yue" play characters. Some of the cutouts are used to decorate lanterns.
The Northern Style: There are three famous northern styles: the Shanxi style, Shaanxi style, and Shandong style.
Shanxi - People in the villages of Shanxi province traditionally live in small caves. One of the most important decorations in their cave-houses are paper cutouts. Their cutouts are simple in design and convey a sense of roughness, typical of the character of the people living in the north of China.
Shaanxi - The geographical location of Shaanxi province is isolated from the rest of China. For this reason, the paper cutouts produced here have preserved many of the oldest patterns from ancient Chinese culture. They are nicknamed "living fossils."
Shangdong - Shangdong paper cutouts are known for their exquisite craftsmanship and unique local characteristics. Village women in the province like to put small pieces of paper on windows that eventually create a large, complete work. Paper cutouts made in this way have a unique look.
When you are in Beijing, go shopping for some beautiful paper cutouts in the city's amazing local shops. It's best to find a personal shopper to assist you in shopping, because this person knows the locations of the best shops and can give you information on the products you buy.
About the Author:
Author A. Lao has studied Chinese arts and crafts for years. He now works with a Beijing personal shopper who brings visitors to great Chinese shops. Sometimes he plans shopping trips in Beijing.
0 comments:
Post a Comment