Motted Copper-manufacturing Skills

Motted copper-manufacturing, a traditional handicraft from Qujing City, Yunnan Province, is one of China’s national intangible cultural heritage items. The craft involves complex processes and highly specialized skills. When copper is mixed with other metals such as gold and silver, which do not fully merge, it creates unique, mottled patterns that result in motted copper. Artisans use this material to create objects, and after polishing, the natural effect of bright, colorful spots emerges on the dark bronze surface. Each item is unique, as no two mottled patterns are the same.

In June 2008, the Motted Copper-Manufacturing Skills were approved by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China and included in the second batch of national intangible cultural heritage items, under project number VIII-118.

Basic Information

• Chinese Name: 斑铜制作技艺 (Motted Copper-Manufacturing Skills)
• Heritage Number: VIII-118
• Region: Qujing City, Yunnan Province
• Approval Time: June 2008
• Heritage Type: Traditional Handicraft
• Intangible Cultural Heritage Level: National

Historical Origins

Yunnan has been renowned for its copper production since the pre-Qin period. During the Qin and Han dynasties, areas like Zhuti and Tanglang (now parts of Zhaotong City and Dongchuan District) produced copper items such as the “Zhuti Wash” and “Tanglang Wash,” which were highly regarded and traded far and wide. In the Ming Dynasty, artisans in Yunnan began using locally sourced natural motted copper ores, employing cold-forging methods to craft figurines, animals, and antique-style items like vases, cauldrons, stoves, and jars. This innovation paved the way for a new tradition in copper production.

Craft Characteristics

Motted copper is distinguished by its “raw spots” and “mature spots.” The raw spots are made from high-quality natural copper ores and are rare and valuable, producing stunningly bright, crystalline patterns that are lightweight and naturally colored. The mature spots, on the other hand, are made from industrial copper and involve a complex smelting and casting process. While the materials for mature spots are more abundant, the process still requires considerable skill.

Raw motted copper products have a polished, elegant appearance, with bright, crystalline patterns. The traditional colors are a deep cherry red or golden yellow base, with irregular metal-like patterns that shimmer in gold, creating a rich, complex visual effect. This intricate work has both high practical and ornamental value, and the items are often considered treasures. Motted copper items like incense burners, candlesticks, hot pots, cauldrons, boxes, vases, and various crafts are typically made using these techniques.

Motted copper items are crafted to perfection with unique, iridescent golden patterns. The natural beauty and artistry of the work are combined with an impressive reflection of light, creating objects that seem to glow with the brilliance of embedded gemstones. The beauty of these items is heightened by the techniques used in their creation, which showcase the blend of tradition, nature, and craftsmanship.

The patterning in motted copper is highly unique and based on various shapes such as irregular patterns, mosaic patterns, striped patterns, willow leaf patterns, granular patterns, and plum blossom patterns. These patterns may vary from ordinary to rare and exceptional designs. The origin of the patterns is still unclear, but they are largely unpredictable and add a level of surprise to the final product. The colors and the patterns of the motted copper are what make it so distinctive. Authentic motted copper features warm, saturated cherry-red hues, and golden patterns with a layered, intricate feel.

Crafting Process

The creation of motted copper involves multiple, intricate steps, requiring a high level of expertise. The process includes forging, shaping, burning, revealing, and exposing the spots, with the entire process taking two to three months to complete. One of the most critical stages, known as “burning spots” or “fire-seeding,” is both thrilling and precise. The process involves heating copper objects in carefully controlled charcoal fires. Too little heat results in poor crystallization, while too much heat risks ruining the piece.

The key steps in the production of raw motted copper are as follows:

1. Material Selection: The selection of high-quality natural copper is crucial. The size of the item being produced depends entirely on the size of the copper ore, and the quality of the copper affects the final result.
2. Purifying the Copper: Any impurities in the copper are removed using chisels or similar tools.
3. Initial Forging: The copper is hammered repeatedly to form the basic shape of the item.
4. Burning for Spot Formation: The copper is carefully heated in a kiln to allow the crystallization of metal spots. Temperature control is key to achieving the desired patterns.
5. Shaping the Item: The shaping process is repeated multiple times. Any imperfections discovered during shaping or burning might require starting over.
6. Spot Revealing: The most critical stage, where various plant-based solutions are used to reveal the golden spots on the copper surface.
7. Final Polishing: Once the item is shaped, it undergoes fine polishing and cleaning. To prevent oxidation, a protective coating is applied.

The entire process can take several weeks, and the final product often appears simple at first glance but is the result of painstaking craftsmanship.

Inheritance and Protection

Inheritance Value

The uniqueness of motted copper lies in its artful use of irregular, colorful patterns that no other metalworking technique can replicate. It is a true representation of the union between nature and human creativity, making it an important part of Chinese traditional craftsmanship.

Inheritor

Zhang Kekang, born in 1955 in Huize County, Yunnan Province, was selected as a representative inheritor of this national intangible cultural heritage in June 2009.

Protection Measures

Historically, the tradition of motted copper was passed down within families, often only to male heirs. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Yunnan Provincial Handicraft Bureau gathered skilled artisans to scale up production. In 1978, Kunming Arts and Crafts Factory established a dedicated motted copper workshop, which was later converted into Kunming Motted Copper Factory in 1980. The workshop improved production methods and began creating modern items alongside traditional designs.

In November 2019, Qujing City Cultural Center was recognized as the protection unit for the Motted Copper-Manufacturing Skills by the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Social Impact

Motted copper has earned domestic and international recognition for its artistry and value. In 1915, a motted copper item created by Zhang’s family, the “Red Copper Chrysanthemum Pot,” won a silver medal at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, USA. Motted copper has since been displayed in significant national venues, including the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. It is also featured in various collections and served as national gifts to foreign heads of state.

In recognition of its cultural significance, Huize’s motted copper was chosen to produce the trophies for the Second Traditional Ethnic Sports Games of Yunnan Province.

Huize Motted Copper Manufacturing 技艺 Overview (会泽斑铜制作技艺)

Motted Copper manufacturing (会泽斑铜制作技艺) has been passed down through generations in Huize County (会泽县), Qujing City (曲靖市), Yunnan Province, for over 300 years. This technique gained international recognition when it won a silver medal at the Panama International Exposition in 1914. Since then, the products have been exported widely to countries including Japan, the United States, Australia, and Southeast Asia, earning a certain level of global reputation.

The key to the success of Motted Copper manufacturing lies in the selection of raw materials. The craftsmanship demands high-quality natural copper, particularly from Huize and Dongchuan (东川) areas, with a copper content of at least 10%. The production process begins with smelting the raw copper using chestnut charcoal, heating it until it becomes red and slightly white. Once this is achieved, the material is hand-forged and then manually polished and refined into the final product.

Crafting Process and Characteristics

The technique is known for its meticulous process, elegant shapes, and beautiful colors. The most popular items include incense burners, candlesticks, hot pots, tripods, boxes, bottles, and various other art pieces. The most iconic work of Huize Motted Copper is the Double Dragon Embrace Ear Vase (双龙抱耳瓶). Huize Motted Copper has even been chosen to create the trophies for the 2nd Traditional Ethnic Sports Games of Yunnan Province.

The craftsmanship, traditionally passed down from father to son and without written records, relies heavily on oral transmission. However, by the mid-20th century, the practice faced challenges due to limitations in raw material availability, the complexity of the process, and high costs. As a result, the technique became endangered, and today, only three workshops are still producing these items. Among them, the Zhang Kekang (张克康) family, which has been producing Motted Copper for 12 generations, is the most renowned. In 1999, Zhang Kekang was honored as a “Yunnan Provincial Folk Artist” by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture.

Kunming Motted Copper Manufacturing 技艺 (昆明斑铜制作技艺)

Kunming (昆明), the capital city of Yunnan Province, inherited the Motted Copper manufacturing technique from Huize and Dongchuan over 300 years ago. Similar to Huize, Kunming’s Motted Copper craftsmanship involves complex processes and rare materials. However, during the Republican era (1912–1949), synthetic Motted Copper, known as “mature spots” (熟斑), began to emerge. This variant is produced through a distinct smelting method and, although more abundant, lacks the brilliant luster of the raw copper version.

Motted Copper in Kunming’s History

In Kunming, the craftsmanship reached its peak during the early 20th century, particularly under the expertise of artisans like Wang Jixing from Baohonghao. The work of Li Changqing (栗长青) from Guanzhuang, who created statues of Guan Yu (关圣像) using a mix of purple copper, yellow copper, and white copper, became especially famous for its unique style.

Crafting Process and Modern Innovations

The process of Kunming Motted Copper involves over 10 steps, including the selection of materials, impurity removal, forging, molding, polishing, and the all-important burning and revealing of the distinctive spots. The craft traditionally passed through family lines, specifically from father to son, and after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, it began to be organized into more standardized production.

In 1978, Kunming Arts and Crafts Factory (昆明市工艺美术厂) was established, which included a special workshop for Motted Copper. In 1980, this workshop was restructured as the Kunming Motted Copper Factory (昆明市斑银厂), where production methods were improved. Modern innovations combined traditional techniques with contemporary sculpture and advanced craftsmanship, resulting in a fusion of ancient Yunnan bronze culture and modern aesthetics.

Kunming’s Motted Copper products not only continue to follow the traditional forms but also explore modern themes, resulting in a diverse range of products. The pieces now incorporate minimalistic, elegant decorative patterns that enhance the unique Motted Copper features while ensuring artistic perfection and unity.

Representative Products and Recognition

Kunming’s Motted Copper products are known for their refined elegance and distinctive materials. They are considered rare and precious, gaining both domestic and international acclaim. Some notable works include the Bull-Tiger Panel, Peacock Vase, Surprised Deer, Elephant, Peacock King, Great Rhinoceros, and Incense Burner. These products have repeatedly won awards for excellence from the Ministry of Light Industry and local provincial and city governments. They have also been selected as national gifts for foreign heads of state and are highly prized in national collections.

The introduction of modern designs, along with an artistic approach that incorporates elements of traditional Yunnan bronze art, has allowed Kunming Motted Copper to gain recognition as an innovative and highly respected craft, both in China and abroad.

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