Traditional Handicrafts

The Chinese Encyclopedia of handicrafts is titled "Things disclosure by means of heavenly work". From ancient times the Chinese thought that a man engaged in his handicraft cannot only follow the natural samples, that is, to reproduce the work of the skies, but to amplify and improve it, make it perfect, disclosing the nature of things. Already in the 3rd millennium B C the Chinese masters created wonderful wooden and clay works of art, and later made them from metal, ebony, lacquer and carved of stone. Approximately at the same time there emerged the tradition of bronze molding. The iron objects one learnt to produce only in the 7th - 6th centuries B C. They were considered most important consumer goods of the people. Weapons, armor, and parts of agricultural instruments, as well as kitchen utensils, ovens, tiles for the palaces and statues were made from iron and other metals. The production of chinaware (porcelain) and Dutchware were developing on the basis of pottery. Other types of handicrafts refined and upgraded as well - wood handling, making mats and tatting baskets and other objects from willow, reed, grass and straw; weaving, embroidery and the like. In ancient times and the Middle Ages the craftsmen kept their skills of mastership a secret and passed it over from the teacher to the apprentice. The Medieval craftsmen united into professional guilds, that controlled the production and trade of produce, regulated prices and so on. In modern history separate sectors of production and sales emerged in major centers of craftsmanship. In the 20th century the previous guilds transformed into professional unions of the new type.

A vase. Lacquer.   China. The Chinese.		Six bone carved balls inside a ball.   China. The Chinese. The middle of the 20th century.		A peacock. Bronze.   China. The Chinese. the 19th century.
Walking woman. China.		Antiquity shop in Beijing. China. Beijing. The Chinese. Alimov I., 2007		Street cutter of personal seals makes a seal in 20 minutes. China. Beijing. The Chinese. Alimov I., 2007
Samples of articles made of ornamental stones. China. Beijing. Alimov I., 2006		Different brushes. China. Beijing. Alimov I., 2006