Yuan Kunlin – Representative Inheritor of Black Copper Silver-decorating Skill Project in Jinning District, Kunming
Introduction to Yuan Kunlin
Yuan Kunlin (袁昆林), born in 1973, is a male member of the Han ethnic group from Tiancheng (天城) Village in Jincheng Town, Jinning District, Kunming, Yunnan. He is the representative inheritor of the Black Copper Silver-decorating Skill (乌铜走银), a traditional craftsmanship passed down in his family for generations. Yuan Kunlin learned the craft from his father, Yuan Wanli (袁万里), and has devoted over 30 years to mastering and innovating this unique art.
Early Beginnings and the Inheritance of Craftsmanship
In the 1980s, Yuan Kunlin’s father, Yuan Wanli, passed on the art of Black Copper Silver-decorating to Yuan Kunlin and his brother, Yuan Guilin (袁贵林). Despite initial resistance from his young son, Yuan Wanli insisted on teaching him the craft, believing that the family’s tradition of over three generations should continue. Through dedication and persistence, Yuan Kunlin eventually mastered the craft by the time he was in his late twenties.
Mastering the Black Copper Silver-decorating Technique
The Black Copper Silver-decorating technique is a complex and intricate art form that involves combining copper with silver through a special forging process. The copper sheets used for carving are not ordinary—they are carefully mixed with a precise ratio of gold, pure silver, and other precious metals to form an alloy called “black copper.” This alloy is then forged into various thicknesses before being engraved with intricate patterns. Once the patterns are engraved, molten silver is poured into the grooves, fusing with the copper to create a striking visual effect of black copper with silver patterns.
Creating Exquisite Artworks
Yuan Kunlin’s Black Copper Silver-decorating works are known for their detailed craftsmanship and intricate designs. These products include vases, pen holders, ink boxes, teapots, pipe heads, and hookah pipes. The finished works display a distinctive visual contrast of black copper and silver, standing out among other copper artworks with their elegant, one-of-a-kind beauty.
Key Steps in the Craft Process
- Forging the Black Copper Sheets: Yuan Kunlin first creates the black copper alloy, forging it into sheets of varying thicknesses.
- Engraving Patterns: Intricate patterns are carved into the copper sheets by hand.
- Incorporating Silver: The silver is melted and poured into the carved grooves, fusing with the copper to create a unified design.
- Finishing Touches: The piece undergoes several finishing steps, including shaping, assembling, polishing, and blackening, to complete the craft.
The result is a beautifully crafted piece of art that shines between black and white, with intricate silver patterns embedded within the dark copper.
Overcoming Challenges in Learning the Craft
Yuan Kunlin faced many challenges during his early years of learning the craft. As a teenager, he was initially resistant to following his father’s footsteps, preferring to pursue other interests. However, his father was firm in his belief that the family tradition must be carried on, leading Yuan Kunlin to settle down and focus on mastering the craft. This dedication, combined with his persistence, allowed him to overcome the challenges and become a highly skilled artisan.
Innovation and Growth in the Craft
In 1993, Yuan Kunlin began creating Black Copper Silver-decorating items and eventually reached a point where he felt the need to innovate. To break through the creative bottleneck, he traveled to Kunming and Dali to study various engraving techniques, broadening his skills and knowledge. His work, including the “Three Water Birds Handle Teapot,” blends bas-relief techniques with ancient Dian Kingdom culture, marking the invention of the Black Copper Silver-decorating relief style.
Additionally, Yuan Kunlin studied silver-making techniques in Heqing, Dali, and upgraded the traditional single-body technique to a double-body method, becoming the only craftsman at the time to use this approach.
Recognition and Legacy
Today, Yuan Kunlin holds several prestigious titles, including Representative Inheritor of the Black Copper Silver-decorating technique in Yunnan Province, Master of Yunnan Arts and Crafts, and Director of the Jinning District Black Copper Silver-decorating Craftsmanship Museum. Despite his recognition, Yuan Kunlin prefers a simple life as a craftsman, focusing on his workshop and continuing to innovate in his craft. He expresses, “I am willing to stay in the marketplace and keep making Black Copper Silver-decorating my lifelong companion.”
The Future of the Craft
In Chinese arts and crafts, Black Copper Silver-decorating is regarded as one of the “two greatest copper arts” in China, alongside Beijing’s Cloisonné. As modern techniques have gained popularity, fewer people are able to master this ancient craft. However, Yuan Kunlin is optimistic about the future of Black Copper Silver-decorating, believing that younger generations are bringing fresh ideas and innovation to the craft. He has observed the growing passion for this art among his students and believes that their new perspectives will only improve the tradition.
A Humble Artisan
Although Yuan Kunlin has received considerable recognition, he remains a humble and quiet artisan. He is not one to seek fame or praise, preferring to work diligently in his workshop. In the face of external opinions, Yuan Kunlin simply smiles and returns to his work, continuing his lifelong journey of crafting Black Copper Silver-decorating pieces.
