Porcelain carving (also known as porcelain engraving) evolved from the long-standing art of jade and stone carving. Originating in the Song Dynasty, developing in the Ming Dynasty, and flourishing in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, it is an important branch of arts and crafts. Using high-quality porcelain as its medium, it employs exquisite carving techniques to engrave the elegance of calligraphy and the artistic conception of painting onto the porcelain, integrating calligraphy, painting, and sculpture into a unified whole. This gives the porcelain a higher artistic value and collectible worth, earning it the international reputation as a treasure of Eastern art and making it highly sought after worldwide.
Porcelain Preparation:
Only the most refined porcelain is selected for carving. Each porcelain piece selected for carving features a refined shape, graceful lines, and a pure glaze with a soft, pleasing luster - the foundation for delicate craftsmanship and enduring beauty.
Design Drafting (Pattern Sketching):
With a soft, blunt pencil, the artisan lightly traces the envisioned design on the porcelain surface. Every stroke captures the quiet dialogue between material and imagination.
Carving (or Engraving):
Using loop tools, V-shaped blades, and fine knives, the artisan carves the motif with precision and sensitivity.
Core techniques include:
- Bas-relief: Removing background clay so the design rises gently in relief, full of depth and light.
- Sgraffito: Applying a layer of colored or underglaze, then carefully scraping it away to reveal the contrasting clay body beneath, creating vivid visual texture.
Sanding and Polishing:
Each carved piece is hand-sanded and polished to perfection. This final process refines every contour, enhances the surface sheen, and awakens the porcelain’s subtle radiance.