Woven ivory mat

[Weaving ivory mat]

Weaving ivory mat, 216 cm long and 139 cm wide
The back of the seat is wrapped in maroon satin, and the edge is wrapped in black satin. The mat is fully woven with herringbone pattern, which is made of flat ivory strips that are as thin as bamboo grates and only 0.2cm wide. Although the mat is slightly worn, it is generally intact
The texture of this mat is fine and uniform, the mat surface is smooth, soft and comfortable, and can be rolled up freely. Its teeth are extremely thin and still white and soft. Ivory mats are cooler and more pleasant than straw mats and bamboo mats in summer
Weaving ivory mats is a traditional craft in Guangzhou during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is said that this technique had been used in the Han Dynasty. According to the “Wei Shu · Biography No. 30 · Han Wu”, “the seven treasure beds and ivory seats were offered.” Zhu Jingzhao of the Ming Dynasty recorded in the “Wild Record”, “among the elephant teeth, it is known that they are vertically stored one by one, and the use of boiling is soft, and the teeth are pulled out one by one, flexible as thread, and woven as a seat.” The ivory seats made in the Qing Dynasty are of excellent quality, and used as an important tribute in the middle of the Qing Dynasty. At that time, the ivory artists in Guangzhou used the fine texture and toughness of ivory to split the ivory soaked in liquid medicine into uniform thin slices, and then grind it to a white luster, and then weave it into various patterns
The ivory mat uses a lot of materials, the weaving process is arduous, and it costs people money. Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty advocated thrift, Mission prohibition: “In the afternoon of the Geng Festival, I told the ministers and scholars that I used all kinds of instruments, but they were simple and applicable, not yet gorgeous and exquisite, and they repeatedly issued orders that were very clear. In the past, Guangdong had entered the ivory table, but I did not take them very much, thinking that it was only an accidental offering, and I did not issue the orders and cut the precepts. Today, the number of people who offered them is more than I intended. I used ivory weaving as a tool, or a fan, which is still small. Now, if it is made as a seat, it is made of a lot of materials. It costs twice as much labor, and it is a luxury.” Governor, if Guangdong craftsmen do this, they will not be allowed to make it again. If you come from the sea and refuse to buy from now on, the wind of reconstruction will naturally cease. ” Guangdong ivory mats are prohibited, and private purchases are prohibited
According to the project file of the Manufacturing Office, there are five dental mats in the palace, and only three have been left so far. Because few people have passed down the weaving ivory mat and the traditional ivory cutting technology has lost its existence, this ivory mat occupies an extremely important position in the history of Chinese ivory craft


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