Mingguzhai lacquerware production technique

Beijing
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Mingguzhai lacquer carving learned from "Decheng Lacquer Carving Bureau" and then founded it independently. It has its own products and production style, and strictly inherits the traditional craftsmanship methods, with strict product production processes and inspection mechanisms. The lacquer carving works are deeply loved by consumers at home and abroad. Mingguzhai lacquer carving production skills have a history of more than 110 years. In 1904, Xiao Le'an, Xiao Xingda and their fellow apprentice Song Xinggui established a lacquer carving workshop in a small garden in Beijianzi Lane, Jiaodaokou, Beijing, and named it "Jiguzhai". In the same year, Song Xinggui left "Jiguzhai" and opened another workshop named "Decheng Lacquer Carving Bureau". He personally accepted apprentices and taught them art, and named them with the word "Zeng", such as: Hu Zengrui, Su Zeng'an, Zhang Zengming and others. In 1905, Zhang Zengming opened the "Mingguzhai" lacquer carving workshop in Nanchizi. In 1957, Mingguzhai moved from Nanchizi to Longwangtang Village, Chaoyang District, Beijing, and established Longwangtang Lacquer Factory, which was continued by Zhang Rongen. Later, Mingguzhai Lacquer Factory recruited apprentices, and Yang Zhixin entered the factory to learn the craft in 1983. In 2008, Beijing hosted the Olympic Games. Longwangtang was located in the planning area of the Olympic venues, and the Lacquer Factory was forced to disband. In order to pass on the lacquer craft, Mingguzhai Lacquer Factory was reorganized in Xingshou Town, Changping District, Beijing under the leadership of Yang Zhixin and has continued to operate to this day. The characteristics of Mingguzhai Lacquer are: mainly imitating the style of Ming Dynasty lacquer, but not excluding the workmanship of Qing Dynasty, embracing the styles of Ming and Qing Dynasties, and penetrating each other. The products produced not only have the elegance of Ming Dynasty but also the exquisiteness of Qing Dynasty. At that time, someone recorded the process of lacquerware production: first make the body; then apply the primer; after it is completely dry, apply a little stone grinding, then apply the paint, layer by layer, more than a hundred layers, at least dozens of layers, each layer, and it takes about two days and nights to dry, so it takes several months or more than a year to make a piece of it. After the layers are sufficient, use a steel knife to carve, and finally let it dry and polish it, and then the product is completed. Mingguzhai lacquerware works are beautiful and majestic, with exquisite materials and complicated production processes. They have their own unique body design and processing techniques, requiring technicians to have skilled and exquisite skills. It is a classic of Chinese handicrafts and carries the rich cultural connotations of Chinese lacquerware.

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