金漆镶嵌：传承千年的宫廷之美

中国是最早认识漆并制作漆器的国家,历史上北京曾是重要的漆器产区。金漆镶嵌作为中国传统漆器的重要门类,其工艺品种在历史的长河中不断丰富发展,综合了“燕京八绝”中雕漆、花丝镶嵌、玉雕三项绝技,彰显出古朴典雅、端庄华贵、富丽堂皇的皇家风范,是带有浓厚“京味儿”的工艺品。2008年被列入国家级非物质文化遗产代表性项目名录。

China was the first country to discover lacquer and produce lacquerware, with Beijing historically serving as a significant production hub. Golden lacquer inlay, a prominent category within traditional Chinese lacquerware, has evolved over centuries, integrating three unique techniques from the “Eight Wonders of Yanjing”: carved lacquer, filigree inlay, and jade carving. This art form showcases a simple, elegant, dignified, luxurious, and magnificent royal aura, embodying the essence of "Beijing flavor". In 2008, it was listed as a representative project of the Representative List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

北京金漆镶嵌从师传系统、工艺技法到艺术风格都直接继承和发展了明清宫廷艺术,形成了古朴典雅、端庄华贵、富丽堂皇、品类繁多的皇家风范,清王朝灭亡后,这门原本主要为宫廷服务的漆器工艺传向民间。北京风格,在中国的漆器百花园中独树一帜。

Beijing's gold lacquer inlay directly inherits and develops the imperial artistry of the Ming and Qing dynasties, encompassing its teaching system, craftsmanship, and tartistic styles. It embodies a royal style of simplicity, elegance, dignity, magnificence and diversity. After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, this craft, once exclusive to the court, was passed down to the common people. The Beijing style stands out in the diverse world of Chinese lacquerware.

金漆镶嵌是一种锦上添花的艺术,甚至是锦上添花再添花的艺术。所谓“金”,指制作过程中运用到的黄金,包括金片、金箔、金粉;所谓“漆”,也就是传统天然大漆;所谓“镶嵌”,则是指将各种天然软硬质玉石、兽骨、牛角雕镂成人物、花鸟、山石、楼台等图案,镶嵌于漆胎之上。简言之,金漆镶嵌就是在“金漆”之上,再施以各种“镶嵌”工艺。可以想见,以如此工艺制作出的漆器一定是雍容华贵,繁复异常,有着鲜明的宫廷审美。

Golden lacquer inlay is an art of adding icing on the cake, or even adding flowers to an already blossoming garden. The "gold" refers to the gold used in the production process, including flakes, foil, and powder. "Lacquer" denotes the traditional natural lacquer. "Inlay" involves carving various natural gemstones, bones, and horns into patterns like figures, flora, fauna, landscapes, and architectures, which are then inlaid onto the lacquer base. In short, gold lacquer inlay is the process of applying various inlay techniques on top of "gold lacquer", resulting in exquisitely ornate and luxurious lacquerware with a distinct imperial aesthetic.

胡昕,清宫造办处第五代传承人,北京一级工艺美术大师,师从胡锡恒大师。她把将近五十年的时光,都投入到了金漆镶嵌设计与创作当中。胡昕大师始终致力于将传统技艺与现代审美相结合,将中国的古画从绢布移至屏风之上,推动金漆镶嵌技艺的创新与发展。

Hu Xin, the fifth generation inheritor from the Qing Palace’s Construction Office and a distinguished master of arts and crafts in Beijing, studied under Master Hu Xiheng. She has devoted nearly five decades to the design and creation of golden lacquer inlay. Master Hu Xin has been committed to combining traditional techniques with modern aesthetics, transferring ancient Chinese paintings from silk to screens, thereby driving the innovation and development of golden lacquer inlay.

胡昕老师现场为学生们展示金漆镶嵌技术

Hu Xin demonstrated the technique of golden lacquer inlay to students at the event.

人物风景栩栩如生,活灵活现。经过金漆装饰的展品,繁杂精致,熠熠生辉,无处不凸显着来自古老民族的庄重与华丽。来自北京第二外国语学院的哈萨克斯坦留学生安格丽娜,在参观了金漆镶嵌艺术博物馆后被金漆镶嵌的展品所震撼。她满怀敬意地拜访了技艺传承人胡昕老师,由衷赞叹后她不免问道:“您如何能够制作出这样精致繁复的图案?”。

The characters and landscapes are vivid. The exhibits decorated with golden lacquer were intricate and exquisite, shining brightly, highlighting the solemnity and splendor of ancient civiliazation. Angelina, a Kazakhstani student from Beijing International Studies University, was amazed by the exhibits at the Golden Lacquer Inlay Art Museum. She visited Master Hu Xin with reverence and could help but inquire, "How do you create such exquisite and intricate patterns?”

在大师工作室,胡昕老师亲自现场教学指导,安格丽娜有了与大师面对面交流的机会。从最基本的颜色调制学起,到图案的绘制,安格丽娜观摩体验了金漆镶嵌描金彩绘工艺。她发现仅仅一个粉色的调制,就需要非常多的尝试与调整,在胡昕老师的悉心指导下,终于制作出了一份属于安格丽娜的“金漆镶嵌”。

At the master's studio, Angelina had the opportunity to learn from Master Hu Xin firsthand. From the most basic color mixing to pattern drawing, Angelina observed and experienced the gold lacquer inlay and gold painting technique. She found that even mixing a simple pink required numerous attempts and adjustments. With Master Hu Xin’s meticulous guidance, Angelina finally crafted her own unique piece of golden lacquer inlay.

胡昕老师正在教安格丽娜制作金漆镶嵌

Hu Xin was teaching Angelina how to make golden lacquer inlay.

胡昕老师说“没有文化的积淀,是设计不出作品的。”她对自己的要求就是让参观者感受到作品的内涵。她的风格自成一派,不是一味地遵循传统。“为往圣继绝学”,恢复、继承与发展传统工艺是保护工作的当务之急。我们要做的工作还很多,需要抓紧时间,投入力量挽救我们自己的遗产。为此,她与金漆镶嵌博物馆积极推动进学校、进社区、进商圈、进企业、进园区的“五进”政策,努力实现校企产教融合,工学一体,让金漆镶嵌事业可持续的发展壮大,让更多的人了解、认识这一古老技艺。

Master Hu Xin believes, "Without cultural accumulation, it is impossible to design meaningful works." Her requirement for herself is to ensure visitors appreciate the depth of her creations. Her unique style doesn't blindly follow tradition but aims to "inherit the ultimate knowledge from the past." Restoring, inheriting, and developing traditional crafts is urgent for their preservation. We still have a lot of work to do, and we need to seize the time and invest our efforts to save our own heritage. To this end, Master Hu Xin and the Golden Lacquer Inlay Museum actively promote the "Five Ins" policy -- entering schools, communities, commercial districts, enterprises, and parks. They strive for integration between education and industry, enabling sustainable growth for golden lacquer inlay and raising awareness about this ancient craft.

胡昕无比希望金漆镶嵌事业能够越来越好,希望金漆镶嵌的作品能大众所认可,希望能有更多的年轻人能喜爱这项技艺,将这门优秀的技艺传承下去。对于有志于投身金漆镶嵌传承与创新的年轻人,她也鼓励他们展望未来,脚踏实地,总结经验,不断提升认知,开阔眼界,苦练技艺,推陈出新,坚守初心与使命,对技艺,对作品都要精益求精,做到极致。

Master Hu Xin hopes that the golden lacquer inlay industry will thrive and gain recognition. She also hopes that more young people love this skill and pass on this excellent technique. For young people who are interested in dedicating themselves to the inheritance and innovation of gold lacquer inlay, she encourages them to look ahead, stay down-to-earth, learn from experience, constantly improve their knowledge, broaden their horizons, hone their skills, innovate, and adhere to their original aspirations and missions. She emphasizes the pursuit of excellence in both skill and craftsmanship.

“金漆镶嵌这门古老的技艺能够流传如此长久,很大一部分是来源于传承这项技艺的匠人们的匠心,其八千多年的历史就是它独特的魅力。这门艺术值得被大家深入挖掘,我们会用精品佳作反映时代精神,让金漆镶嵌走得更高更远。”

The longevity of golden lacquer inlay as an ancient craft lies largely in the craftsmanship of its inheritors, and its 8,000-year history is its unique charm. This art deserves deeper exploration, and we will create masterpieces that reflect the spirit of the times, taking golden lacquer inlay to new heights."