Tibetan Jinshuduanzaojiyi
01 · Historical Records
Tibetan copper forging technique is transmitted mainly in Namling County of the Tibet Autonomous Region; its origins can be traced back to the period of the Tenth Dalai Lama, giving it a history of more than one hundred years.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
The products of Tibetan metal forging technique are highly varied, chiefly including Buddha statues, various religious implements (such as prayer wheels and Vajrayana vajras), and incense burners, with Tibetan knives being the most famous and most common of all. The faces of Tibetan waist knives are burnished clean and the edges are incomparably sharp; the handles are made of ox horn or hardwood (such as jujube wood) and wrapped with copper or silver wire; the tops are banded with copper sheeting and inlaid with brass or engraved patterns. The scabbards are also finely made, engraved with patterns of dragons and phoenixes, tigers and lions, flowers and birds; some are further set with gems and agate, in a sumptuous and magnificent style. Tibetan knives are both a necessity of daily life for the Tibetan people and a renowned Tibetan handicraft, deeply prized by art collectors and connoisseurs. Copper forging is used mainly to cast Buddha statues, with consummate skill, a refined technique, and a unique artistic style, demonstrating the excellent handicraft tradition of the Namling region. The entire copper forging production process involves numerous steps and rigorous execution; because the textures of the materials used differ, the process steps are not entirely the same. The forging materials are chiefly copper, brass, and cupronickel, with gold and silver sometimes used as well, but bronze and iron are rarely chosen, because such materials are hard and brittle, lack ductility, and are unfavorable for shaping and forging. Before use, the metal materials are first smelted in crucibles made of clay, and after cooling naturally into metal ingots, are forged into metal sheets. Afterward, through the stages of welded image-making, gilding, polishing, and applying red pigment, solemn and exquisite Buddha statues are finally forged and cast.
Archival Record of Process Steps
The entire copper forging production process involves numerous steps and rigorous execution; because the textures of the materials used differ, the process steps are not entirely the same.
Melting in clay crucibles
Copper and brass are melted in clay crucibles, cooled to ingots and forged into sheet; bronze and iron are avoided as too brittle.
Soldering the figure
A figure is forged in parts and soldered together, the seams reheated and hammered until invisible.
Mercury gilding
Gold is laid over the copper body by fire-gilding, leaving a thick layer that does not lift.
Grinding
All chasing and sanding marks are removed until the face is kindly and the drapery clear.
Applying red pigment
Red pigment is applied to lips, cheeks and lotus bases, giving the finished image warmth.
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
Copper forging in Namling County is concentrated in the county seat and the river-valley zone. Artisan households mostly take commissions as family units; the forms and subjects of the objects are largely imported from places such as Zhaxi Jicai and Lhasa, while the local area undertakes only the actual work of hammering and welding. Local pieces do not seek dense ornament but a firmly upright bearing: the drapery lines and back-aureoles of Buddha statues are given their edges blow by blow with the hammer, and if the proportions are even slightly off, the figure looks stiff. The work of the Ledan family leans toward vessels and utensils, with an archaic pattern style, fine workmanship, beautiful carving, and flowing lines; small objects such as prayer beads and prayer wheels are made with particular care.
Other submitting regions for the same item: Tibetan Jinshuduanzaojiyi · Tibetan Jinshuduanzaojiyi · Tibetan Jinshuduanzaojiyi · Tibetan Jinshu Forging Craftsmanship.
04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
Ledan (as recorded in the official archives of the associated inheritor): Male, Tibetan ethnicity, born in December 1976, a native of Namling County, Tibet Autonomous Region. Representative inheritor of Tibetan metal forging technique (Tibetan copper forging), a national-level intangible cultural heritage item from the fourth batch. A Tibetan copper forging artisan. His objects have an archaic pattern style, fine workmanship, beautiful carving, flowing lines, and lasting durability. He has taken on more than ten disciples, passing on the technique transmitted in his family. He frequently participates in various exhibition and sales activities held in the region, notably the folk-customs park sales exhibition at the Ninth Everest Culture and Tourism Festival in Shigatse Prefecture in 2011. As a forging artisan, he has trained several apprentices, contributing his own strength to Tibetan metal forging technique.
05 · Associated Representative Bearers
Representative bearers recorded under this item, organized by national nomination batch:
- Esegama 03-1378
- Cidanwangjia 03-1379
- Long Duoranjie 03-1380
- Liedan 04-1883
- Laqiong 04-1884
- Gamadaiqing 05-2816
- Genqiudanzhen
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
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