Shop For Gorgeous, Unique Chinese Paper Cutouts In Beijing
Chinese paper cutting is an old art that developed shortly after paper was invented 2,000 years ago. Though ancient, paper cutting is now widely practiced in the regions all across China. When shopping in Beijing, be sure to check out this unique Chinese art.
In China, paper cutouts are sometimes referred to as "chuang hua," or "window flowers," because people in the countryside like to use them to decorate their windows, doors, and walls. These works often have a double-sided design with images of landscapes, houses, people, animals, or flowers. During festivals, people like to design cutouts with auspicious Chinese characters, like "Fu," "Shou," or "Xi," which mean Fortune, Longevity, and Happiness. In a traditional household, women are responsible for making such items.
During the Tang dynasty, Chinese paper cutting was developed into a fine art. Cutouts from this period are preserved by the British Museum in London and show a high level of craftsmanship. During the Song dynasty, paper cutting became a favorite hobby among Chinese, as the thriving paper industry enabled people to use a whole range of new paper products. The porcelain items made in this period show many patterns designed based on paper cutouts. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, this art reached its zenith.
There are three main regional styles of paper cutting in China: the southern style, the Jiangzhe style, and the northern style. Cities in these regions produce a variety of sub-styles that have distinctive local characteristics.
The Southern Style: This style includes work produced in Foshan, Wuhan, and Fujian.
Foshan - Foshan artisans like to produce paper cutouts with bright colors and extravagant designs. Even though their theme is "loud," they are liked by a lot of people, including both Chinese and overseas customers.
Wuhan - Wuhan's paper cutting incorporates elements of the local "Chu" culture. Many famous paper cutout artists in China are from this area. They have created items that have vivid pictures and demonstrate a deep cultural understanding.
Fujian - Artists in Fujian province like to depict animals. Some famous cutouts, like "Chicken-Feet Flower," have very interesting animal designs.
The Jiangzhe Style: This style includes paper cutouts made in China's Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.
Jiangsu - What's unique about Jiangsu's paper cutouts is the exquisite depiction of flowers. The delicate, lifelike flowers show culture, elegance, and a sense of romance.
Zhejiang - Zhejiang paper cutouts have elegant designs and exquisite craftsmanship. The designs usually show things in nature and "Yue" play characters. Some of the cutouts are used to decorate lanterns.
The Northern Style: There are three famous northern styles: the Shanxi style, Shaanxi style, and Shandong style.
Shanxi - In Shanxi province, paper cutouts are used by people to decorate their traditional cave-houses. In the old days, when the local economy was poor and there were only a few items in a common household, paper cutouts were the only things used for decoration. Simple in design, they have a unique sense of roughness.
Shaanxi - Shaanxi province is located in an isolated area in China. This disadvantage in geography has been proven to be a unique advantage in art: the artisans here are able to make paper cutouts that show some of the oldest patterns from ancient Chinese culture, undisrupted by outside influence. Their work is called "living fossils."
Shangdong - Shangdong paper cutouts are known for their exquisite craftsmanship and unique local characteristics. Village women in the province like to put small pieces of paper on windows that eventually create a large, complete work. Paper cutouts made in this way have a unique look.
When you are in Beijing, go shopping for some beautiful paper cutouts in the city's amazing local shops. It's best to find a personal shopper to assist you in shopping, because this person knows the locations of the best shops and can give you information on the products you buy.
In China, paper cutouts are sometimes referred to as "chuang hua," or "window flowers," because people in the countryside like to use them to decorate their windows, doors, and walls. These works often have a double-sided design with images of landscapes, houses, people, animals, or flowers. During festivals, people like to design cutouts with auspicious Chinese characters, like "Fu," "Shou," or "Xi," which mean Fortune, Longevity, and Happiness. In a traditional household, women are responsible for making such items.
During the Tang dynasty, Chinese paper cutting was developed into a fine art. Cutouts from this period are preserved by the British Museum in London and show a high level of craftsmanship. During the Song dynasty, paper cutting became a favorite hobby among Chinese, as the thriving paper industry enabled people to use a whole range of new paper products. The porcelain items made in this period show many patterns designed based on paper cutouts. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, this art reached its zenith.
There are three main regional styles of paper cutting in China: the southern style, the Jiangzhe style, and the northern style. Cities in these regions produce a variety of sub-styles that have distinctive local characteristics.
The Southern Style: This style includes work produced in Foshan, Wuhan, and Fujian.
Foshan - Foshan artisans like to produce paper cutouts with bright colors and extravagant designs. Even though their theme is "loud," they are liked by a lot of people, including both Chinese and overseas customers.
Wuhan - Wuhan's paper cutting incorporates elements of the local "Chu" culture. Many famous paper cutout artists in China are from this area. They have created items that have vivid pictures and demonstrate a deep cultural understanding.
Fujian - Artists in Fujian province like to depict animals. Some famous cutouts, like "Chicken-Feet Flower," have very interesting animal designs.
The Jiangzhe Style: This style includes paper cutouts made in China's Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.
Jiangsu - What's unique about Jiangsu's paper cutouts is the exquisite depiction of flowers. The delicate, lifelike flowers show culture, elegance, and a sense of romance.
Zhejiang - Zhejiang paper cutouts have elegant designs and exquisite craftsmanship. The designs usually show things in nature and "Yue" play characters. Some of the cutouts are used to decorate lanterns.
The Northern Style: There are three famous northern styles: the Shanxi style, Shaanxi style, and Shandong style.
Shanxi - In Shanxi province, paper cutouts are used by people to decorate their traditional cave-houses. In the old days, when the local economy was poor and there were only a few items in a common household, paper cutouts were the only things used for decoration. Simple in design, they have a unique sense of roughness.
Shaanxi - Shaanxi province is located in an isolated area in China. This disadvantage in geography has been proven to be a unique advantage in art: the artisans here are able to make paper cutouts that show some of the oldest patterns from ancient Chinese culture, undisrupted by outside influence. Their work is called "living fossils."
Shangdong - Shangdong paper cutouts are known for their exquisite craftsmanship and unique local characteristics. Village women in the province like to put small pieces of paper on windows that eventually create a large, complete work. Paper cutouts made in this way have a unique look.
When you are in Beijing, go shopping for some beautiful paper cutouts in the city's amazing local shops. It's best to find a personal shopper to assist you in shopping, because this person knows the locations of the best shops and can give you information on the products you buy.
About the Author:
Author A. Lao has studied Chinese culture and history for years. He assists a Personal Shopper in Beijing who brings customers to special Chinese stores. Sometimes he personally tailors personal shopping trips.
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