Liza, a Belarusian girl studying Chinese at Northeastern University, has always had a special fondness for Chinese culture. Fascinated by the symmetrical balance of Chinese characters and the harmonious rhyme and rhythm of the Chinese language, Liza was invited by Liaoning International Communication Center to experience the beauty of Liaoning’s craftsmanship embedded in filigree inlay.
With a history of over 3,000 years, filigree inlay, also known as filigree inlaid metal art is an intricate and exquisite craftsmanship that dates back to the Spring and Autumn Period (770 - 476 BC). It is a representative of the artwork of Chinese court. Filigree is made by weaving thin wires made of gold or silver into different shapes, while inlay involves the shaping of gold or silver sheets through hammering and the embedment of pearls and gemstones. Exquisite jewelry or utensils created through filigree inlay techniques are endowed with unique aesthetics of Chinese craftsmanship.
Yang Haiyu, the fourth-generation inheritor of Cuihua Filigree Inlaid Metal Art and a representative inheritor of Shenyang Municipal Intangible Cultural Heritage Project, introduced the filigree inlaid works, one of the intangible cultural heritages as he demonstrated some of the filigree inlay techniques. There are eight skills in filigree inlay—filigreeing, filling, plaiting, welding, piling, layering, weaving, and knitting. With threads as thin as hairs, craftsmen created intricate and beautiful filigree inlaid handicrafts through wire filling, layering, threading, twisting and welding, etc. The exquisite craftsmanship and splendid design left Liza in awe, making her nervous and apprehensive about her upcoming experience.
What Liza was about to try was two techniques of filigree inlay, “wire filling” and “wire twisting”, which had already made Liza feel at a loss and repeatedly exclaim, “It’s too difficult.” Mr. Yang Haiyu explained that a fine filigree inlaid work would take two professional craftsmen 45 days to complete. The elegant and luxurious filigree inlaid artwork represents the pinnacle of the craftsmanship of precious metal. “I have never seen such gorgeous workmanship in Belarus. It’s so exquisite!” Liza was deeply captivated by the intricate and delicate beauty of filigree inlay techniques.
