Big world on small gourds

An exquisite gourd pyrography work. [Photo by Wei Wei for chinadaily.com.cn]

The art of gourd pyrography, an intangible cultural heritage of Kuiwen district, Weifang, Shandong province, originated from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and peaked in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). By the Kangxi period (1662-1722) and the Qianlong period (1736-1796) of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), gourd pyrography had reached a high level of professionalism, becoming a treasured item appreciated by the royal family. 

Gourd pyrography involves six major steps, including design approval, outlining, and polishing. Using traditional Chinese painting techniques, artisans create figures, landscapes, plants, and animals on the smooth and hard surfaces of gourds using pyrography tools. The images possess various layers and the rendering effects of traditional Chinese painting, leading a result that is highly expressive.

Combining traditional Chinese painting techniques with modern craftsmanship, gourd pyrography maintains a unique ethnic style while also reflecting the realism of Western oil painting. It is both simple and elegant, evoking a strong sense of nostalgia. (Edited by Du Xiaping)