Weaving Crafts

-Bamboo Weaving-

Inscribed on the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China, it refers to the crafts that use the bamboo pieces to weave various utensils and handicrafts. It possesses not only great practical values, but also a deep historical significance. When settling down, humans take all materials they can to store food and water and then bamboo comes first for utensil making. The bamboo handicrafts include porcelain bamboo-weaving vase, bamboo tea set, coffee set, wine set, stationery, bamboo flat painting etc..

In general, there are three main processes: bottoming, weaving and locking. The weaving process, based on the warp and weft weave, can also mix various techniques, such as:weaving, inserting, wearing, cutting, locking, nailing, tying and etc. so that the colors and patterns can be varied. Dyeing bamboo can also be matched with products that are of different colors to form brightly and contrastingly colored patterns

-Palm Weaving-

As one of the traditional handicrafts of the Han Chinese, it is a handicraft made from palm leaves. Possessing the original ecological characteristics of folk handicrafts, it is quite common in daily life. In 2011, Xindu Palm weaving was listed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China.

The raw materials are meticulously selected and seasonal. The palm should be white and soft, beautiful and applicable, and able to bear the weight and absorb the moisture. It can be weaved into shoes, fans, bags, hats, pads, boxes, toys etc.. In early April, the artists began to collect the tender palm leaves, cut them into fine pieces, make them into ropes and then start the processes like sulfur fumigating, drying, soaking, dyeing etc.. The decoration methods vary from objects to objects.

-Rattan Weaving-

Rattan Weaving crafts are based on the skin and core of vine stems. They are not only good household utensils, but also production and even war equipment. Being quaint and lacking no creativity, the crafts have strong practicality, artistry and adaptability.

Raw materials have a tough texture, smooth luster, and excellent elasticity. The rattan crafts are mainly made of vine branches, rattan core or bamboo, and then weaved with rattan skin or young rattan core so that rattan’s characteristics of flexibility can be fully used. As to the color, the original vine's light yellow are common; bleached white or ivory can be seen to make finished artworks soft and elegant; brown can be matched, too.