Detailed Explanation of the Latest Appreciation Standards for Chinese Arborvitae Root Carving
Chinese arborvitae is a type of cypress. What the market calls Chinese arborvitae handicrafts are actually Oriental arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis) rather than the botanical Chinese arborvitae (Thuja sutchuenensis). Because Chinese arborvitae is extremely rare in existence, with naturally wondrous forms and beautiful natural grain, and its oil content and hardness are both of the highest grade, it is the foremost material for root carving. Therefore, Chinese arborvitae root carving, as the crown of root carving, enjoys great renown in collector circles. Now let us take a look together at the appreciation standards for Chinese arborvitae root carving!
Artistic Conception
Root carving stresses the unity of heaven and humanity, with the idea preceding the knife. A piece of Chinese arborvitae root carving with collectible value must have been fully conceived before production, able to make good use of the characteristics of the raw material, express the creator's intent, and even elevate to a certain cultural connotation, or even a work that carries forward the essence of root carving culture. It is by no means a pure display of knife skills or a mere showcase of material, but must have a spiritual foundation originating from tradition and imbued with culture. Only in this way can a good-looking root carving be elevated into a root carving that stands up to repeated viewing.
Form
The forms of Chinese arborvitae are endlessly varied: some wind upward, some coil and turn, some fold and float gracefully, some hold to the primordial one, some stretch out in all directions. Each piece is a unique creation of nature, a gift from the gods, a trace left by the years, a witness to time.
Carving Craftsmanship
Smooth knife work that does not stall on the object is the foundation for creating a fine root carving. The opening of a figure's face, the hair strands, the treatment of the hands and the corners of garments, and the expression, spirit, and fur of animals all require good carving craftsmanship as a foundation.
Color
After polishing, Chinese arborvitae comes in roughly two colors, red and white. The white parts are the parts still growing, while the red is mostly dead parts, also called “wood sarira”. In terms of ornamental value, intertwined two colors are the most pleasing visual enjoyment, but red maple like fire and white clothing like snow are also another kind of tranquil beauty. If the Chinese arborvitae is old enough to a certain degree, it will also present purple-black and deep black.
Fragrance
Chinese arborvitae has a special fragrance different from other cypress woods. Breathe in slowly, and a trace of fragrance different from agarwood, sandalwood, dragon's blood, and musk, a mellow richness precipitated by time, seeps into the heart and spleen. The fragrance of Chinese arborvitae feels languid and is closely related to age; the older it is, the more mellow and sweetly lingering the fragrance becomes.