THE TRADITIONAL CHINESE BOX-MAKING CRAFT
Aug.30,2024
The traditional Chinese box-making craft is a handicraft with a long history and unique style, primarily used for the protection and packaging of cultural relics.
The craft of box-making can be traced back to the "Box Workshop" within the Imperial Household Workshop during the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty. During this time, the Imperial Household Workshop had a specialized box workshop responsible for producing various exquisite boxes to protect precious cultural relics and artworks. Over time, the box-making craft gradually spread from the imperial court to the general populace, where it was widely inherited and developed.
The materials used in box-making are diverse, including straw paperboard, imitation Song brocade, blue cloth, silk fabrics, cotton, and bone fasteners. Each of these materials has its own unique properties: the durability of straw paperboard, the vibrant colors of imitation Song brocade, the smoothness of silk fabrics, and the cushioning effect of cotton.
There are numerous types of boxes, which can be classified based on their inner linings into soft linings, inverted linings, carved linings, hard linings, and combinations of soft and hard linings. They can also be categorized based on the type of cultural relics they hold, such as book covers, paintings and calligraphy, ceramics and jade, bamboo, wood, ivory, horn, as well as stones, clocks, and watches. Additionally, they can be classified by style into hidden-format boxes, open-format combination boxes, carved-door boxes, top-and-bottom cover boxes, and drawer-type boxes.
The basic process of box-making is roughly divided into two parts: the production of the outer box and the inner lining. First, the straw paperboard is cut according to the calculated dimensions. Holes are cut into the paperboard to install fasteners. Paste or chemical latex adhesive is used to bond the cut paperboard into the box body and cover. Care is taken to ensure the box is firmly assembled, without cracks, and that all surfaces and corners are smooth. The box body is then wrapped with fabric brocade or blue cotton cloth to enhance its aesthetic appeal. Finally, fasteners are produced and installed to ensure the box is sealed properly.
For the inner lining, slightly thinner straw paperboard is used to create the inner tray, which should match the dimensions of the outer box. A layer of cotton is placed at the bottom of the inner tray, and cotton rolls are arranged according to the shape of the cultural relic for cushioning and protection.
Boxes not only have practical value but also possess artistic value. Over time, these boxes, originally used to protect precious cultural relics and artworks, have themselves become collectibles with considerable artistic and cultural worth. Furthermore, as an important part of traditional Chinese handicrafts, the craft of box-making carries rich historical and cultural information. It is not only a crystallization of the wisdom of ancient craftsmen but also a vital embodiment of traditional Chinese culture. By inheriting and developing the craft of box-making, we can better protect and transmit the cultural heritage of the Chinese nation.