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Handicraftsman Cai Shuikuang demonstrates the gilding skill of lacquer thread sculpture in Xiamen, Southeast China's Fujian province. Cai Shuikuang is the 12th generation disciple of Cai Lacquer Thread Sculpture, which has a history of more than 300 years and has been listed as the state-level non-material cultural heritages in China. [Photo/Xinhua]
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Now comes the color and gold foil. Craftsmen use bright colors like red, yellow and green to block in the spaces circled by lacquer threads. Almost all lacquer thread sculptures are finally finessed with an application of gold foil, a centuries-old tradition rooted in Buddhist sculpture. Tung oil is applied to the lacquer threads first and pure gold foils are adhered to them. The final works are dazzling and gorgeous.
Each sculpture is a genuine handmade artwork, and integrates the techniques of sculpting, painting and embroidery. In recent decades, artists have gone beyond the habitual restriction to religious subjects. The Cai family has always been innovative; they not only created a variety of sculptures based on history and folklore, but also crafted elegant vases, wall hangings and plates, to name a few more adventurous applications of the art.
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