History of Chinese crafts
Buying handicrafts from China, like buying handicrafts from Iran, also has its own special attractions. The People’s Republic of China, with an area of more than 7600000 kilometers, has a population of about 1230000000 people, and it is in the first place in terms of population and in terms of size, it is among the largest countries in the world. has it.
China, which is located in East Asia, has 56 different nationalities and includes various religions such as Islam, Christianity, Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. The number of Muslims in China is estimated to be more than 30,000,000 people, most of whom live in the province of Sing Kiang – East Turkestan – and… It should be mentioned that more than 80% of China’s population lives in the rural areas of that country.
Since 1979, when the People’s Republic of China opened its doors to the outside world, it has rapidly stepped on the path of development, so that with the approval of the Foreign Investment Law, guaranteeing the return of profits up to 100% in 1986, 84,000 capital contracts were signed. It was a joint venture with foreign parties between 1991 and 1993, and during 1992, it attracted about 30 billion dollars of American capital. Such measures have encouraged the investment of 55,000,000 Chinese people living abroad, who have more than 2,000 billion dollars in assets, and have caused China’s gross domestic product to increase from 175 billion dollars in 1979 to about 430 billion dollars in 1992 and to 736 billion dollars in 1996 and the export of that country should increase to 130 billion dollars.
Due to the predominance of rural society in China, the establishment of suitable rural industries in the majority of small industries has been one of the priorities of China’s economic development policy.
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Production of handicrafts in China:
The structure of handicraft production in China has the following characteristics:
1- The production of handicraft products is common in big cities such as Beijing, Zhangzhou and Guangzhou, and it is not common in villages.
2- Production units operate in the form of large and centralized government workshops, which are combined with the division of labor and the application of industrial management, and this feature has led to the control of the quality of products in all stages of construction in the best possible way.
3- The human force working in Chinese handicrafts is quite young – the average age is less than 25 years
4- Most of the manufactured products have a decorative aspect and are produced with the aim of exporting abroad.
5- The extraordinary influence of handicrafts from visual arts such as painting and sculpture
6- Great variety of designs and productions in specific fields of handicrafts
Most of the activities related to the production, domestic sales and export of handicrafts are carried out by a national company called the National Import and Export Corporation of China Handicrafts. This company has branches in different cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou and Zhangzhou. Of course, in the same direction, other state-owned companies are also active with large production workshops, such as “Beijing Art Import and Export Company”.
video of creating chinese handicrafts
China’s best handicrafts
One of the joys of traveling is shopping and this feeling cannot be taken away from tourists. Actually, when we travel to a foreign country, we want to take travel luggage as a souvenir or a souvenir for ourselves and our friends. Shopping while traveling can have the same effect as luggage. If you have participated in a tour of China, we recommend you to go to the best handicrafts in China to buy souvenirs. Industries that are not only beautiful but also represent one of the original arts of China.
Shadow art with paper cutting in Chinese handicrafts
If you’re into performing arts, go for paper-cut shadow art, one of China’s best handicrafts. Beijing shadow artists make one of the most beautiful paper cuts. You can buy beautiful pre-cuts for souvenirs or in some markets, see Chinese artists making a beautiful red paper cut and then buy the new work from it. Many of these artists also work to order. Even in some places, you can cut in educational tours
Participate in paper and shadow art and cut papers yourself with scissors.
The art of Chinese paper cutting is a unique art with a very old history. Different shapes of beautiful Chinese women, mythical animals, famous characters of Chinese plays and many others are made with colored paper and scissors.
The art of Chinese paper cutting is one of the best handicrafts in China, which was registered in the first group of national intangible cultural heritage in 2006 by the State Council of China. After that, in the same year, it was declared by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of the world.
Peking opera mask in Chinese handicrafts
If you look a little more closely in a souvenir shop in China and Beijing, you will notice dramatic masks with strange faces that are sold as souvenirs to tourists. These souvenirs, which are one of the best handicrafts in China, are called Peking Opera Masks. Peking opera mask or Lian Pu is actually a type of face mask with different face paintings. Each of these faces with their make-up and colors are used for a special character in Beijing plays and operas.
For example, a face and mask with red makeup is used for royalty, black makeup for statesmen, a face with yellow makeup for murderers, blue and green faces and masks for heroes and white faces for treacherous and evil people. The first of these masks were made around the 12th century. The first masks were made of plaster, which was painted in different colors for the Song Dynasty opera.
Chinese kites and Chinese handicrafts
Chinese kites can be bought both as a decorative item and as a toy. One of the best handicrafts of China from the past until today are Chinese kites and kites. Especially in Beijing, where the wind is usually strong throughout the year, and flying kites is very popular. Chinese kites and kites can be purchased in many arts and crafts stores in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. Many tourists give this beautiful souvenir to their friends and children. Kite making is a tradition and an artistic craft in China.
Peking kites are made of paper or silk and are completely painted by hand. Chinese kites have a global reputation in the domestic and foreign markets of China. Fei Baolin, expert in making the highest quality kites in Beijing, has designed and built hundreds of kites of various shapes and sizes. The smallest of these kites are made the size of your palm. When traveling to China, we suggest you go to the kites to buy souvenirs.
All kinds of Chinese handicrafts
Carpet weaving in China:
The date of the beginning of carpet weaving in China is not exactly known. But it is possible that after the extinction of the Ming Dynasty and the domination of the Manchu Empire, the weaving of pile carpets started in this country. But according to some sources, the existence of carpet weaving art in East Turkestan has a long history.
Today, East Turkestan is one of the provinces of China. This region was captured by the Chinese in the middle of the 18th century and became a tribute to the Chinese emperors.
Many are of the opinion that carpet weaving first entered China through Eastern Turkestan and the city of Kansu, which is located in the upper part of Western China, was the center of trade and supply of many Turkestan rugs to China and finally to Europe. Although the carpets of this region reached Europe very late, they were known by the same names mainly because they were exported to Europe through the cities of Western Turkestan such as Samarkand and Kokand, through which the carpet trade took place. If the main place of their fabric was big and famous cities such as Kashgar and Khotan, which were located in Eastern Turkestan.
Since the beginning of this century, Western countries and Europe have become more familiar with Chinese carpets, and for this reason, with the increase in demand, large workshops for the production of tufted carpets have been established in big Chinese cities such as Beijing, Tien Sin, etc. They started working.
The older Chinese carpets, which were influenced by Turkestan carpets, had more similarities with the carpets of that land in terms of design and color. In general, ancient and modern Chinese carpets do not have much variety in terms of design, and this is largely due to the attention to symbolism in Chinese culture.
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Silk weaving:
According to historical evidence, the discovery of silkworms and the cultivation of silkworms happened for the first time in Yastan China . There is an interesting story about how silk is made in China. One day, the queen of China, Si Ling Shi, mistakenly threw a silkworm cocoon into the boiling water for washing her hands. The next day, he sees silk threads coming out of the container. He enjoys this practice and since then he starts keeping silkworms so that he can use their silk for clothes. For a long time, the Chinese kept the secret of silk production. The Japanese were among the first to discover this secret in the third century. After discovering this art, the Chinese hid it from different societies for three thousand years, but Japan and Iran have obtained this information and spread it.
With the development of textile industries in recent years, the texture of silk fabric has been limited with the help of traditional weaving machines, but on the other hand, embroidery with silk on very thin, plain and white silk fabrics, inspired by flowers, plants, birds, and even types of fish and aquatic animals, is developing rapidly. Various products are produced in the form of panels, lampshades and partitions and are often exported to Europe and America.
Bamboo weaving and Chinese handicrafts:
Considering the availability of bamboo raw materials, especially in the south and southeast coasts of China, bamboo weaving is one of the flourishing and export crafts of that country. So that every year significant amounts of all kinds of bamboo products produced in China are exported to Western European countries and North America. By cutting bamboo stalks and weaving thin and thick strands and then covering it with special varnish – in order to prevent moisture absorption and changing the shape of the product – more than 120 different types of products such as baskets, vases, pendants, tea sets, pitchers, glasses , bags, suitcases, trays, fans, floor coverings… are produced and supplied with bamboo covering.
Chinese mat weaving and Chinese handicrafts:
Weaving mats in the form of underlaying and production of baskets, which has most aspects of consumption and also consumption inside China, is one of the types of handicrafts in China.
The Chinese have been able to create new uses and have diverse and creative designs. In addition, they have been the pioneer in the field of mat export. Therefore, by inviting them, we will realize our shortcomings, especially in the field of equipment and repetition of designs and textures, and we will be able to grasp the mystery of mat export. For example, we are very weak in the field of circular mats and rugs.
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Marine crafts and Chinese handicrafts:
Due to its long water borders and access to the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean through the Yellow Sea and the East and South China Seas, China has many facilities for using all kinds of shells, corals and other marine remains. The presence of abundant and diverse raw materials and cheap labor forces inspired them to cut, paint and glue different pieces of shells, corals and other marine remains to prepare and make decorative panels. The mentioned boards are made in different dimensions and are offered at reasonable prices.
Embroidery and Chinese handicrafts:
Producing all kinds of products such as tablecloths, bedspreads, napkins, cushions, as well as decorative panels through “Roduzi” is another type of authentic and traditional Chinese handicrafts. Coating is done on cotton and polyester fabrics using various decorative and colored threads. In addition, needlework on silk should be considered the most exquisite and valuable type of Chinese embroidery, of course, needlework on silk is mostly in the form of beautiful paintings that depict natural landscapes and even the bottom of the sea with colorful fishes and aquatic animals. , It can be seen.
Wood carving and Chinese handicrafts:
The production of all kinds of panels, paravan boxes in the method of mosaic work is also common in China. Shells are often used to decorate the surface of wood, but in some cases, ivory and jade are also used in addition to shells. Most of these products are produced in Guangzhou and are sold mostly in Beijing.
Carving and inlaying: among other Chinese handicrafts, there is carving on betel wood, which is used to make objects, sculptures and furniture. Also, wood carving is one of the popular arts and crafts in the People’s Republic of China.
Chinese wicker dolls Zongren
Zongren or very small Chinese dolls, also known as wicker dolls, are another of China’s best handicrafts. Nowadays, these dolls are made of different materials such as silk yarn, different animal hair or similar materials and can be found all over the markets of Beijing. Each of the dolls in the market is priced depending on the skill of its maker. If the creator is a master in this work, the prices and value of this work of art will increase. This unknown cultural artifact of Beijing is used in another way to perform puppet shows. You can buy these dolls as souvenirs for your children during your Beijing tour.
Red lanterns from the best Chinese handicrafts
Red lanterns are traditional Chinese handicrafts that are still popular throughout Beijing and other parts of the country. As a precious traditional Chinese culture, the art of making lanterns has been passed down from generation to generation and is still popular among people as one of the best handicrafts in China. The making of lanterns plays an important role in China’s long history, and today they are a symbol of China’s brilliant culture. If you attend many Chinese festivals and celebrations, you will see that as it gets dark, red lanterns are lit one by one and sent into the sky. You can find spectacular scenes and views from this scene.
Chinese calligraphy or the art of calligraphy
One of the most beautiful and best Chinese handicrafts that you can buy as a souvenir for your loved ones are the papers and paintings that are known as the art of calligraphy and are sold in China. You can see the best examples of Chinese painting and calligraphy in souvenir shops and buy a beautiful painting of Chinese calligraphy from your trip to this country.
Shadow puppets
Animated shadow puppet shows are one of the traditional forms of performing old shows in China, which were performed to entertain children after dark. These shows were actually a combination of paper cutting art and shadow play shows, which were performed in smaller forms using a lamp and a thin curtain. Animated shadow play puppets were made with materials such as animal skin, cloth and fur. Then it is painted skillfully and its different parts are sewn together.
Glass making and painting behind glass and Chinese handicrafts:
This art is also considered as one of the ancient arts of China and it must be said that the Chinese have great skill and expertise in painting behind glass.
Pottery, ceramics and porcelain and Chinese handicrafts:
China should be considered the cradle of pottery and ceramics in the world, and it should be said that the Chinese have a special and exceptional skill in the world, especially in making porcelain dishes. Porcelains are taken from this land and the main reason for that is the discovery of white kaolin soil for the first time in the past centuries in this land, even the name of kaolin soil is adapted from the famous Kaolin hill. This soil was identified for the first time in this hill and was used in the ceramic industry.
Of course, in addition to kaolin soil, high-quality clay obtained from the sediments of the big rivers of this country, such as the Yangtze River and the Yellow River, is used in the best possible way to make pottery and ceramic products. Considering the volume of production and export, as well as the originality and diversity of Chinese handicrafts, this country can be considered one of the three major centers of handicrafts in the world, along with India and Iran. It should be noted that according to the available statistics, the annual export of Chinese handicrafts is more than 5 billion dollars and the amount of sales to tourists who visit this country reaches more than 500 million dollars.
Let’s see some handicrafts specific to China
