Chinese Microscopic Carving

The art of micro-carving refers generally to the engraving of infinitesimal characters on ivory or human hair. The artist engaged in this unique craft, when he applies the graver, cannot see the work he is doing but has to rely on feel. The art is therefore sometimes described as "carving by one's will". There are in many cities of China such microsculptors, who can engrave on small grains ...

Jade in China

Jade is a stone ingrained in Chinese art, culture and history, stretching 9,000 years back into the ancient and enormous Chinese empire. Jade has always been a special stone, used not just for fine objects but also as material for grave goods for the imperial family. It is believed to be a link between both the physical and the spiritual worlds, and is the only material that completely encapsu...

Gu Embroidery

Gu Embroidery is a famous embroidery style in Shanghai that is named after its originator--the Gu (Mingshi) family in Songjiang of the Ming Dynasty. The striking feature of Gu Embroidery is the lifelike reproduction of masterful paintings of various dynasties on canvas using embroidery threads. Therefore Gu Embroidery is also known as "Embroidery Painting".What sets Gu Embroidery apart from othe...

Dream of the Red Chamber

Dream of the Red Chamber(红楼梦), or The Story of the Stone(石头记), is the greatest masterpiece of Chinese classical novels of the Ming and Qing dynasties with the most profound influence on later generations. The work is comprised of 120 chapters, the first 80 of which were written by Tsao Hsueh-chin and the remaining 40 by Kao Hgo.Tsao Hsueh-chin, the author of Dream of the Red Chamber, lived bet...

Evolution of Female Beauty and Fashion in China

In ancient China, there were Four Great Beauties－Diaochan, Lady Yang, Xi Shi and Wang Zhaojun [*note] － who were so famed for their beauty that, like Helen of Troy, they could overthrow states and cities. Their beauty has been depicted in countless traditional paintings, but unlike the art that came much later, ancient painting techniques make it hard to tell how accurate these depictions are....

The Beilu Bangzi Opera

The Beilu Bangzi Opera, one of the Four Big Shanxi Bangzi Operas, is based on Puzhou Bangzi Opera, one of the ancient Bangzi Operas, which formed in Puzhou in the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Now it is primarily popular in northern Shanxi Province,Inner MongoliaAutonomous Region andHebei Province. There are more than 200 traditional repertoires. The Bang...

Four Famous Anhui Opera Troupes

Peking Opera has a history of over 200 years. The main melodies originated from Xipi and Erhuang, in Anhui and Hubei respectively. It is generally accepted that Peking Opera gradually came into being after 1790 when the famous Four Anhui Opera Troupes came to Beijing. Peking Opera underwent fast development under the imperial patron during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and the notorious Empress ...

Embroidered Shoes

Embroidered shoes, with beautiful decorative patterns on the uppers embroidered with colorful silk threads, is a perfect combination of the Shoe Culture and Embroidery Art.with beautiful decorative patterns on the uppers embroidered with colorful silk threads, is a perfect combination of the Shoe Culture and Embroidery Art. This unique handicraft of Chinese nation is deeply rooted in the n...

A Short History of Silk in China

One account of the story goes that as she was taking a walk in her husband's gardens, she discovered that silkworms were responsible for the destruction of several mulberry trees. She collected several cocoons and sat down to have a rest. It just so happened that while she was sipping some tea, one of the cocoons that she had collected fell into the hot tea and started to unravel into a f...

Chinese Lacquer Ware

The lacquer ware is one of exquisite Chinese crafts. Chinese lacquer ware has a long history dating back as early as the New Stone Age. The original wares in China were those coated with black and red lacquers. From the Shang Dynasty to the Han, colorful painting, gold inlaying and other techniques were introduced into the making of lacquer ware. The oldest lacquer ware discovered dates back...