广作牙雕:17—19世纪“海上丝绸之路”上的跨文化交流

Guangzuo Ivory Carving: Intercultural Communication on the "Maritime Silk Road" During the 17th-19th Century

  • 摘要: 象牙雕刻与玉雕、景泰蓝、雕漆曾被誉为中国工艺美术“四大名旦”,也是记录人类文明进程的艺术符号之一。17-19世纪期间,广作牙雕是深受西方世界欢迎的中国工艺“国粹”之一,对此,前人已有专著和文章展开过较多的讨论,但是,对于广作牙雕和“海上丝绸之路”跨文化交流关系的探索仍较薄弱。本文通过对广作牙雕原料来源、技艺特征、源头及外销发展历程的梳理,探讨了广作牙雕海外市场拓展与海上丝绸之路跨文化交流的关系, 提出如下认识:(1)广作牙雕的历史很长,其材料来源既有本地也有外域,唐宋以后,特别是17-19世纪中期,外销牙雕制品所用象牙材料主要是通过以南海为起始通道的“海上丝绸之路”交易获得;(2)17-19世纪外销的广作牙雕典型器物包括象牙球、象牙提篮、象牙扇、象牙首饰盒、象牙针线盒、象牙名片盒、象牙信插、象牙胸针等,品类相当丰富,尽管在数量上不及外销瓷器之类的外销品,但其材料价值高、雕刻技艺难度大,在艺术性、观赏性及文化兼容性等方面具有独特性,是当时重要的外销商品之一;(3)广作牙雕精湛的技艺、式样及装饰纹样既有对中国传统工艺的传承,也有对海外创新技艺的吸收,并受到其时欧洲消费文化的强烈影响。17-19世纪外销的广作牙雕实际上是广府工匠参照海外客户的需要,进行工艺设计融合和定制生产的产品(ODM),是中国能工巧匠技艺与多元文化交流融合的结晶;(4)17-19世纪广作牙雕对外贸易的成功,显示工艺产品跨文化交流、互鉴,是其可以有效拓展国际市场的重要要素,甚至可能是关键要素之一,为当今我国其它材质的宝玉石产品拓展国际市场提供了一个典型范式。

     

    Abstract: Ivory carving, jade carving, cloisonne and carved lacquer were once known as the "four great masters" of Chinese arts and crafts, and they are also one of the artistic symbols recording the process of human civilization. From the 17th to 19th century, Guangzuo, namely Canton style, ivory carving was one of the quintessence of Chinese crafts that was deeply welcomed by the western world and there are many monographs and articles discussed by predecessors. However, the exploration of the relationship between Guangzuo ivory carving and the intercultural communication of the "Maritime Silk Road" is still weak. By excavating and combing the source of raw materials, technical characteristics, source and export development process of Guangzuo ivory carving, this paper discussed the relationship between overseas market expansion of Guangzuo ivory carving and intercultural communication on the "Maritime Silk Road", and puts forward the following understandings: (1) Since the Tang and Song Dynasties, especially from the 17th to the mid-19th century, ivory materials were mainly obtained through the "Maritime Silk Road" trade with the South China Sea as the starting point. (2) The typical ivory carvings exported in the 17th-19th century included ivory balls, baskets, fans, jewel cases, sewing boxes, card cases, letter holders, and brooches etc. In spite of the category, the quantity of ivory products is far less than the other export goods. But the Guangzuo ivory carvings were still one of the important export commodities at that time for its high material value, craft skills, unique characteristics in artistry, appreciation and cultural compatibility. (3) The exquisite skills, styles and decorative patterns of Guangzuo ivory carving not only inherited Chinese traditional crafts, but also absorbed overseas skills, and were strongly influenced by European consumer culture at the meantime. The Guangzuo ivory carvings exported to the western world are actually the ODM(original design manufacturer) products made by local craftsmen in reference to the needs of overseas customers, which are representing the wisdom of Chinese skilled craftsmen and the integration of multicultural exchanges. (4) The success of the Guangzuo ivory carving foreign trade during the 17th to the 19th century showed that the intercultural communication and mutual learning are important factors, even the key factors, for expanding the international market, which may provide a typical paradigm for other precious jade and stone products exporting to foreign countries or expanding the international market today.

     

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