A heritage to hold dear

Wood carving

Visitors to Ningbo, Zhejiang province, might be stunned by its vermillion and gold lacquered wood carving, a traditional art form known for its lavish use of gilding, meticulous carvings and vivid portrayal of people and nature. They are often found on traditional buildings, furniture and statues. One of the iconic works is a sedan chair that features hundreds of characters and countless flowers and animal patterns. Each small object adopting the art form takes 18 procedures, mostly done by hand and requiring exceptional skills.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), the art form reached maturity. The patterns often depict historical events or folklore, with human or animal figures and landscape elements arranged on different layers to create a sense of perspective.