Silver-decorating Skill on Black Copper

The Silver-decorating Skill on Black Copper is a traditional craft from Shiping County (石屏县), Yunnan Province (云南省), and is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. The process involves complex steps, usually including nearly 20 stages, such as refining black copper, shaping, engraving patterns, applying silver, molding, polishing, and oxidizing to create a final piece.

In May 2011, the technique was included in the third batch of national intangible cultural heritage lists by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, with project number VIII-195.

History and Origins

The Silver-decorating Skill on Black Copper is believed to have originated during the reign of the Yongzheng Emperor (雍正帝) (1723–1735) in the Qing Dynasty (清朝), nearly 300 years ago. It was first created by Yue Yong (岳勇) and his brothers, descendants of the famous anti-Jin general Yue Fei (岳飞), who lived in Yuejiawan Village (岳家湾村) in Shiping County. The technique was exclusively managed and passed down through the Yue family.

Legend has it that a Yue family copperworker accidentally dropped a gold ring into molten copper during the refining process. When he discovered the copper turned black like coal, he began engraving patterns on the copper surface and embedding silver pieces into it, thus creating the earliest form of Silver-decorating on Black Copper.

Decline

During the Republican era (民国时期), the Yue family operated a shop in Kunming’s Minsheng Street (昆明民生街), where they produced and sold silver-decorated copperware. However, due to a shortage of raw materials and other challenges, production gradually declined. By the time of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (中华人民共和国), rising gold prices and a lack of materials led to the closure of the craft, as even wealthy families were not interested in purchasing such expensive items.

Revival

In the 1960s (1960年代), the art of Silver-decorating on Black Copper nearly disappeared. The only remaining heir, Yue Zhongxiang (岳忠祥), was too old to revive the craft. In the early 1990s (1990年代), his daughter, Yue Lijuan (岳丽娟), made a strong commitment to revive the family art. She trained under her father’s guidance and, after years of hard work, developed her own formula to refine the copper. She meticulously engraved patterns such as plum, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum, peony, and lotus flowers on the copper, then “walked” silver into the grooves, successfully reviving the ancient craft.

Craft Features

The Silver-decorating on Black Copper technique is highly detailed, time-consuming, and requires precision in material selection. It involves first engraving intricate patterns into a copper alloy base. Then, molten silver is poured into the engraved grooves. Once cooled, the piece is polished, and it undergoes special oxidation treatment to turn the copper black, highlighting the contrasting silver patterns.

Common objects made using this technique include small items such as incense burners, flower vases, pen holders, smoking pipes, and more. Typical patterns often feature birds, fish, flowers, and mythical creatures.

Crafting Process

The Silver-decorating on Black Copper is a complex craft that requires mastery in metallurgy, engraving, calligraphy, painting, and micro-carving. Key tools include a bellows, furnace, hammers (large and small), pliers, and various sizes of chisels used for engraving patterns.

The process typically involves nearly 20 steps, with all work being done manually:

1. Refining Black Copper

In this step, gold and other metals are added to molten copper to create the black copper. This process is crucial, and the raw material formula is of great importance.

2. Casting and Forging Copper Plates

The molten black copper is cast into thin sheets, which are then hand-hammered to the required thickness. The sheets are then cut and welded into the basic shape of the intended object.

3. Engraving Patterns

Once the copper base is shaped, fine patterns are engraved using chisels. The depth of the engraving depends on the thickness of the copper.

4. Applying Silver

Molten silver is poured into the engraved grooves. Temperature control is critical, as the melting point of copper and silver is very close, with only a 130°C difference. If the temperature is not controlled properly, the copper may melt along with the silver.

5. Welding, Assembly, and Polishing

The various parts are welded together and polished using sandpaper and polishing stones to achieve a smooth finish.

6. Color Transformation

Before the color transformation, the piece retains the natural copper color. To turn it black, the craftsman repeatedly heats the object with their hands until it reaches a dark hue, or manually oxidizes it if necessary.

Heritage and Preservation

Heritage Value

Historically, Silver-decorating on Black Copper was renowned alongside Beijing’s cloisonné (景泰蓝), often referred to as “the two greatest copper arts of the North and South” (南北两大铜器艺术). The items produced are exquisite and finely crafted, often used as daily tools such as ink boxes, pen holders, wine vessels, and incense burners. They are considered valuable works of art and hold significant cultural, historical, and scientific research value.

Current Situation

In the 21st century, the traditional craftsmanship of Silver-decorating on Black Copper faces significant challenges due to modernization. The number of people skilled in this craft is dwindling, and the high cost of the materials and products has made it difficult to sustain the practice. The craft is primarily passed down within families, and the younger generation is often unwilling to learn due to the labor-intensive nature of the work and the expensive materials involved.

Key Figures in Preservation

Jin Yongcai (金永才), a Han Chinese born in 1953, was selected as a representative inheritor of this craft in May 2018 by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (文化和旅游部). His work in Shiping County has helped preserve the technique.

Preservation Efforts

• In August 2010, the “Silver-decorating on Black Copper Heritage Hall” (乌铜走银传承馆) was opened in Guandu Ancient Town (官渡古镇), Kunming, with Jin Yongcai teaching apprentices.
• In June 2014, the Yunnan Provincial Craft Art Association (云南省工艺美术协会) established the Silver-decorating on Black Copper branch in Guandu Ancient Town’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center (官渡区非物质文化遗产保护中心).
• In November 2019, the YunYue WuYin Craft Co. Ltd. (云月乌银工艺有限公司) in Shiping County was recognized as a protection unit for the technique.

Social Impact

The Silver-decorating on Black Copper technique has gained recognition through various exhibitions and awards.

• In December 2016, it was showcased at the 11th Confucius Institute Conference (第十一届孔子学院大会), where artisans demonstrated the live craft process.
• In September 2018, it was featured at the 10th Zhejiang China Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo (第十届浙江中国非物质文化遗产博览会).

Awards

• 2010: The “Reversed Universe Wine Vessel” (逆宇酒器) won the Bronze Award at the 11th “Tiangong Art Garden – Hundred Flowers Cup” (天工艺术园百花杯).
• 2011: The “Four Seasons Peace Vase” (四季平安瓶) won the Silver Award at the 7th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Expo (第七届中国（深圳）国际文化产业博览会).
• 2011: The “Five Blessings Embracing Longevity Silver Copper Censer” (五福抱寿银铜香炉) won the Gold Award at the 12th “Tiangong Art Garden – Hundred Flowers Cup” (天工艺术园百花杯).