Introduction of dongyang woodcarving

Dongyang woodcarving, produced in Dongyang, Zhejiang Province, is one of the traditional cultural heritage and traditional folk carving arts. Together with Qingtian Stone Carving, boxwood carving and Ou Su, it is also called "Three Sculptures and One Plastic in Zhejiang", and exquisite Dongyang woodcarving works are spread all over the country.

The remarkable feature of Dongyang woodcarving lies in the multi-level relief effect. The main works are mainly relief art, scattered perspective composition and plane decoration. Each work has its own distinctive features and unique culture.

Dongyang woodcarving, also known as white woodcarving, not only retains some natural textures, but also has a history of 1000 years. It is one of the representatives of China's traditional culture and is called the national treasure.

Dongyang woodcarving originated in Tang Dynasty and prevailed in Ming and Qing Dynasties. By the Song Dynasty, its skills had been greatly improved. The prevalence of woodcarving in Ming Dynasty made Dongyang the main producer of woodcarving techniques in Ming Dynasty. The main handicrafts of Dongyang woodcarving in Ming Dynasty are arhats, Buddha statues, palaces and temples. Gardens, houses, etc. , mainly based on architectural decoration. By the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, Dongyang woodcarving had become famous all over the country. Craftsmen developed from making handicrafts for the royal family to making household items in the folk, and gradually formed their own system and style in the process.

After the Revolution of 1911, Dongyang woodcarving began to be exported to foreign countries and reached its peak. However, in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression period, Dongyang woodcarving began to decline, and the products began to be unsalable. It was not until the founding of New China that Dongyang woodcarving began to pick up and reached a new peak.

Dongyang woodcarving is a decorative carving with plane relief as the main part, including high relief, thin relief, deep relief, shallow relief, through-air double-sided carving, multi-layer relief, color wood mosaic carving, round wood relief and other different types with rich levels. Its raw materials are mostly natural wood such as basswood, white peach wood, camphor wood and ginkgo wood, and sometimes there are redwood, Metasequoia, yew and so on.

The theme of Dongyang woodcarving mostly comes from folk stories and historical legends, with a certain mythical color. The design of the theme is similar to China's sketch, and the patterns are not only varied, but also varied. There are not only landscapes, flowers, birds, insects and beasts, but also the perspective effect of the upper layer.

Like other woodcarving works, Dongyang woodcarving crafts also need maintenance. For example, they are not suitable to be placed in high temperature environment. High temperature will destroy the texture of wood carving and harden the wood. Also avoid placing it near open flames, stoves and other fire sources. Dongyang woodcarving is not only suitable for high temperature environment, but also not suitable for wet or extremely dry environment. Wood carving may be "hairy" in wet environment, and it may crack in dry environment. Therefore, it should be noted that the woodcarving should not be placed in the air outlet of the air conditioner, near the heating pipe, or wiped with a rag containing water. The moisture in the wet rag will gradually damage the woodcarving, so use a dry rag.