Tooth and horn carving is no longer widely practiced in China. However, related artworks passed down still hold an important position among Chinese traditional crafts, and the techniques used are also employed to make other handicrafts.
In ancient times there were several techniques employed in tooth and horn carving, mainly including hollowing and openwork carving, weaving, micro carving, and inlaying.
Hollowing and openwork carving was the most common technique used in industrial arts, and the most representative work is the Ivory Compression Ball made of hollowing and openwork carving.
Weaving is the process of making cloth, rugs, blankets, and other products by crossing two sets of threads over and under each other. Usually, weavers use threads spun from natural fibers like cotton, silk, and wool and synthetic fibers such as nylon and Orlon. But thin, narrow strips of almost any flexible material can be woven. In ivory carving, ivory is made into several thin strips, and the strips are then woven into different patterns.
The technique of micro-carving refers generally to the engraving of infinitesimal characters on ivory the size of a single human hair. The artist engaged in this unique craft cannot see the work he is doing but must rely on feel. The technique is therefore sometimes described as "carving by one's will."
Inlaying is the process of ornamenting a surface by setting into it material of different color or substance, usually in such a manner as to preserve a continuous plane. Inlay is employed in connection with a great variety of objects, both of major architectural character and of minor furnishing and decorative function, and makes use of a wide range of materials, such as wood, stone, ivory, glass, metal, mother-of-pearl, and tortoiseshell.
Woodcarving
China has a long history of woodcarving. Picturesque in contours, concise in intended meanings, exquisite in chiseling skills, Chinese woodcarving embodies harmony, in terms of the relationship between each component and the carving as a whole. Based on customs and myths, its themes in general are classified into the following four categories: auspicious designs, such as "excessive happiness," "full crops harvest," "peaceful and hearts' desire," "longevity," "good luck;" figures for enjoyment purposes, such as characters in operas, ancient heroes, historical novels, myths, and fables; local people's life style, such as farming, harvesting, sericulture, weaving, herding, hunting, sewing, commerce, and love; fowls and beasts, plants, vegetables and fruits that people are familiar with. Beasts include animals like chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, pigs, cows, horses, deer, bats, fish and shrimp.
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