Feixian County, Shandong Province: Unique Craftsmanship, Great Culture within Small Stones

FEIXIAN, China, Sept. 11, 2024 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

“Goldstone itself is pitch black, akin to ink, with a glossy, oily texture, and a warmth reminiscent of jade. The process of creating a goldstone inkstone involves over a dozen intricate steps, including quarrying, selecting materials, designing, finely carving, and polishing to a shine.” In the studio of Wang Yintang, an inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of Feixian County’s Venus Inkstone, he is skillfully wielding a carving knife to engrave a piece of goldstone.

Image: Feixian County Venus Inkstone

“I began making Venus Inkstone in 1988, and it has been over 30 years since. Growing up under the influence of my older brother, I gradually developed an interest in Venus Inkstone.” Wang Yintang has his own unique understanding of what it takes to make a quality Venus Inkstone. He believes in adhering to the craftsmanship philosophy of “crafting with heart and upholding integrity.” He understands that “there is no end to art” and has made multiple trips to Zhaoqing, Guangdong, the origin of the Duan Inkstone, and Shexian County, Anhui, the origin of the She Inkstone, for study and learning. He has incorporated Southern inkstone-making techniques along with porcelain carving skills into his own crafting methods to develop a distinctly unique artistic style that has yielded unexpected artistic effects.

The carving of Venus Inkstone emphasizes using materials appropriately, following the natural shape of the stone, and skillfully utilizing natural variations such as the stone shape, golden spots, golden lines, and color. Additionally, the design, combined with the sculptor’s creative vision, intertwines cultural and natural elements, resulting in the distinctive features of Venus Inkstone.

The adage of “People grind the inkstone, and inkstone shapes people,” constitutes a genuine portrayal of ancient inkstone makers. Over 30 years spent working with Venus Inkstone have endowed Wang Yintang with profound cultural literacy and exceptional crafting skills. When discussing the future, he said, “As the inheritor of Feixian County Venus Inkstone craft, it is my undeniable responsibility to promote Venus Inkstone and its culture, and pass on the craft to the younger generation.”