November 22, 2009
Beijing Tour Guides Take You To Discover Amazing Chinese Ivory Carvings Offered In The Local Shops
White as milk, touch as rock, and delicate as jade, ivory carving is considered one of the most exquisite art forms of ancient China. Items with excellent quality and exquisite, marvelous craftsmanship have been one of art fans’ favorites for many thousand years. In the pre-historic period, over 7,000 years ago, when elephants still roamed the regions around Yellow River, ancient Chinese started to practice this art, and made a large number of gorgeous, imaginative artworks. As the supply of the raw material for ivory - elephant tusks - decreased as a result of the ban on ivory trading placed by Chinese government in early 1990s, ivory carvings quickly rose in value and prices, and for art collectors, buying such works became a lucrative investment. In Beijing, take a Beijing day tour with a Beijing tour guide to discover exquisite ivory carvings in the local shops.
It is very difficult to underestimate the value of a great ivory carving: the beautiful, milky white color immediately catches your eyes, the bright, smooth surface appear more delicate and elegant the longer you look at it, and the marvelous craftsmanship shown by every one of its tiny, exquisitely made detail convinces you completely that few artwork ever made by men could achieve this level of exquisiteness and delicacy.
Archaeological find from the Hemudu culture site in Zhejiang province suggests as early as 7,000 years ago ancient Chinese already started making and using ivory items with both practical and ornamental functions. A mysterious item called “Two Birds Flying Towards The Sun” became famous for its incredibly exquisite craftsmanship and beautiful, fascinating design.
Throughout China’s history, ivory works enjoyed a high status among officials and wealthy people. Beginning from the Zhou dynasty, ivory ornament became a fashionable item among imperial court officials, and wearing them symbolized having a high rank in the government. Such works became even rarer after the main source of ivory - elephants - disappeared from central China, and this cemented their status as a sign of privilege. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the art of ivory carving developed to a climax.
Traditionally, Guangzhou, Suzhou, and Beijing were the centers of the production of ivory carvings. Products made in these regions had their unique local characteristics and were cherished by art fans all over the world.
Guangzhou Ivory Carving: The warm, humid climate of Guangzhou favored the production of complex ivory works that required a long time to complete. For this and other reasons, over the years Guangzhou produced some of the most famous, exquisite ivory carvings highly prized by art collectors. A good example was the multi-layer ivory balls famous for their mysterious, exquisite designs.
Suzhou Ivory Carving: Suzhou was historically a region with an influential literati culture. Ivory works produced here showed culture, depth, and good taste, a trend obviously influenced by the demand of the local scholar class. The designs of the works included famous figures, animals, trees, and flowers.
Beijing Ivory Carving: As the capital of China for the last hundreds of years, Beijing had a sophisticated art culture built upon the contribution of some of the best artists from across China. The art of ivory carving flourished here during the early Qing dynasty, and the works made were famous for sophisticated craftsmanship and exquisite, lifelike figures with vivid expressions.
There are many amazing local shops in Beijing that offer unique, beautiful ivory carvings from different periods in China’s history. Find a personal shopping assistant to help you discover these spectacular products.
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A unique artwork that depicts a cute rabbit in a powerful pose, Lord Rabbit figurine is considered an amazing symbol of Beijing local culture. Originally used as a shrine for the Mid-Autumn Festival, evolving into a toy for children in later periods, it is now a popular decorative item. With many legends surrounding its origin, such figurines are known for their classic looks and varied, colorful designs. As one of the most popular products in Beijing, they are now available in many local shops in the city. When in Beijing, go on a Beijing China tour with a Beijing tour guide to shop for some cute, unique Lord Rabbit figurines.
Often appearing in a warrior’s armor, with banners on its back, and riding on a ferocious animal, Lord Rabbit almost always has a calm, serious expression that makes an interesting contrast to its long, funny-looking ears. There are also more “down-to-earth” designs that depict Lord Rabbit acting like a common Beijinger.
In Beijing’s local culture, Lord Rabbit is a symbol of happiness and good luck. Though developed from an ancient Chinese tradition of paying tribute to Jade Rabbit on Mid-Autumn Day, it has a unique Beijing local style that does not exist in any other place in China.
It is generally believed Lord Rabbit first appeared in the late Ming dynasty. According to historical records, Beijingers from that period started a tradition of making clay rabbit figurines. During the Qing dynasty, Lord Rabbit was used not only as a shrine, but a toy for children. Nowadays, in the hands of the modern artists, Lord Rabbit can adopt any shape and be decorated with any design.
There are many legends concerning the origin of Lord Rabbit. According to the most popular version, Lord Rabbit, a maker of elixirs, was once sent by the Chinese moon goddess Chang’e to Beijing to save people from a deadly plague. In Beijing, it changed itself into a young woman and went to every house in the city to offer medicine to people. Soon the plague became less serious, and people started to offer her different gifts to show their gratitude. But of all gifts, she only accepted clothes. In different places of Beijing, she sometimes showed up dressed in men’s clothes, sometimes in women’s clothes. When the plague completely disappeared, she flied back to the Moon. To commemorate her, Beijingers started to created and worship clay rabbit figurines on every Mid-Autumn Festival.
There are some amazing local shops in Beijing offering unique, high-quality Lord Rabbit figurines made by the excellent local artists. Don’t forget to find a personal shopping assistant to help you shop for these fantastic products.
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Bali Handicraft industry is growing in all aspect. Jewelry, furniture, wooden carving, table lamp, music equipment, bamboo crafts, matting crafts etc. Most of their pattern and mode contaminated by traditional culture in this field. This is could be attracted the eager of the International craft’s lover and businessman to purchase Bali handicraft.
Bali has a wide-variety of Bali handicrafts. Artisans from each area improve their own skills to make an up to date product. Every single piece of artistic creation in Bali reflects the uniqueness of Bali’s art and culture. The handicrafts produced in many villages with a conventional processes.
Every single part of Bali has their own product specialization. If you need to find wooden product such as wooden figure and sculptures, you can find in Tegalalang and Ubud area. Silver and Gold jewelery products you can find in Celuk and Sukawati Village. For bamboo handicraft and furniture you can find in Bona and Belega area. Painting you can find in Kamasan and Singapadu and many more.
Bali handicraft manufactures and suppliers aim is to bring forth, artisan’s intricate artwork, master craftsmanship, hard work and fine detailing. Bali handicrafts supplier bring the vast range of wholesale crafts in Bali. It showcases the rare artistry skills and innovations comprises of wholesale crafts, handicraft jewelry, furnishing items, wholesale decorative items, table accessories, antique armory, paintings, garden accessories, wooden toys, wooden sculpture, stone crafts, bamboo craft, sarong, coco shell craft etc.
In the present time, Bali handicraft has a numerouse competitors in its own area. Some handicrafts from other Islands come to Bali and trying to find their market in this place. Such as Lombok handicrafts, Java handicrafts, Kalimantan, Jayapura etc. But the beauty, elegance and exquisite designs of handicraft products in Bali have made a niche for themselves in the heart of the art and handicraft businessman in worldwide.
Author : Gusti Anom
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September 27, 2009
Beijing Wonder: Shop For Chinese Cloisonne
Widely admired as one of the most unique, cultured artwork, Chinese cloisonne is a perfect example of a classic Chinese art form developed from a foreign model. It vividly displays the essences of Chinese culture and shows lavish, multi-color patterns. First appearing in the Yuan dynasty, this art was greatly refined in the Ming dynasty, and reached its peak once during the Jingtai era of the Ming dynasty, and for the second during the Qianlong era of the Qing dynasty. You can go on a customized tour in Beijing to see many amazing local shops with gorgeous, unique Chinese cloisonne works.
The ostentatious patterns and loud colors of Chinese cloisonne works often remind viewers of the extravaggant lifestyle of rich people. But examing its design more closely, one can often sense a depth of its inherent artistic value. In the course of their development in China, cloisonne works were designed using techniques borrowed from a variety of traditional Chinese arts, including bronze vessle, porcelain, painting, and carving. Excellent works are known for their vivid colors, cultured designs, and unique, sophisticated craftsmanship.
It is not known when the production of Chinese cloisonne started. But it is generally believed the technique of making cloisonne was introduced from the western Asia to China during the Yuan dynasty. Advanced techniques like glass making, copper casting, and temperatures controling were already mastered by Chinese when cloisonne was introduced to China, which helped to facilitate the development of cloisonne to eventually become a sophisticated, high-level art in the Ming dynasty.
The Emperor Jingtai from this dynasty, a great cloisonne expert himself, helped develop this art to its pinnacle. With advancements in the making technique, the development of cloisonne reached another height during the Qianlong Era of the Qing dynasty.
In China, cloisonne is called “Jingtai Lan”, a name after the Emperor Jingtai of the Ming dynasty. During the rule of Xuande, Jingtai’s predecessor, the techniques used to make cloisonne were already perfected to a very high level where further improvement was practically impossible. Jingtai’s strategy of making better works to surpass the previous achievement, then, was to invent more beautiful designs, colors, and color combinations. Works produced during his era are credited as having the most elegant designs and beautiful patterns. After his rule, the development of cloisonne started to go on a gradual decline. Few works made in the later periods were able to achieve the same level of quality and craftsmanship.
As the capital of China for the last several hundred years, Beijing is the main manufacturer of cloisonne in this country. For hundreds of years, excellent artisans from all over the country kept coming to this city and made their contribution to the development of cloisonne. During the Republic period, a famous local shop called “Lao Tian Li” sent their cloisonne works to be displayed in the Panama-Pacific International Exposition held in California, U.S, and won the first award. Afterward, Chinese cloisonne became well-known around the world.
Cloisonne works are made by a complex six-step process: body-making, filigree-soldering, enamel-filling, enamel-firing, polishing, and gliding. The main colors used are azure, sapphire blue , “Chick-Blood” red, rose red, purple, light green, dark green, and white.
Beijing has many great shops with fantastic Chinese cloisonne works made by great artists from all over China. When you are shopping in the city, remember to find a personal shopper in Beijing to help you find shops and give you information on the local products.
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