The History of Coal Carving
Coal carving can be traced back as far as 7,000 years ago, one of the ancient crafts found across the globe and especially in China.
A wood carving handicraftsman known as Zhao Kunsheng was responsible for bringing back the art whilst burning some coal on a cold winter night.
He discovered a solid and jet black piece of coal that was perfect for a carving material.
He went on to develop two balls using the aid of a woodcarving tool, and in affect creating the first neoteric jet-carved sculpture.
The exact origins of coal carving are widely unknown and it cannot be pinpointed exactly.
However, we are more aware of the recent history of coal carving as it grew in popularity since the 70s.
In the 70s, an elderly man from Shanxi Province in China sculpted the face of a chairman named Mao Zedong in coal which was given as a token of respect.
It was known as folk art but in this time the craft did not pass on too far.
It was later in the 1980s when three workers made coal sculptures out of the grottoes with coal gangue in Datong.
Their aim was to promote tourism.
Slowly but surely, their work became a hit across the town especially as it began to develop and more tourists visited China in general.
The technology used to carve the coal was more primitive than the technology we have now.
As time went on coal carving became more of a well known craft and people that practised it were able to make special tools are create effects using lighter and darker coloured coals.
One man who pioneered in the art of coal carving and the practices used in the process was Shi Yuping who believed that handiworks made from coal required a subtle touch and careful attention.
Later he went on to make advances in tools and expressionism.
The Datong Government later promoted coal carving where it was introduced at various exhibitions, making it more and more popular.
This means that despite the ancient art of coal carving, dating back thousands of years, it has become known as a more modern art form and is on the international market.
Many tourists visiting China buy from coal merchants who sell carved coal items to take back home as gifts, highlighting the popularity of the craft.
The coal carved item may be something large like an ornament or a smaller, more delicate item such as a figure hanging on a key ring.
A wood carving handicraftsman known as Zhao Kunsheng was responsible for bringing back the art whilst burning some coal on a cold winter night.
He discovered a solid and jet black piece of coal that was perfect for a carving material.
He went on to develop two balls using the aid of a woodcarving tool, and in affect creating the first neoteric jet-carved sculpture.
The exact origins of coal carving are widely unknown and it cannot be pinpointed exactly.
However, we are more aware of the recent history of coal carving as it grew in popularity since the 70s.
In the 70s, an elderly man from Shanxi Province in China sculpted the face of a chairman named Mao Zedong in coal which was given as a token of respect.
It was known as folk art but in this time the craft did not pass on too far.
It was later in the 1980s when three workers made coal sculptures out of the grottoes with coal gangue in Datong.
Their aim was to promote tourism.
Slowly but surely, their work became a hit across the town especially as it began to develop and more tourists visited China in general.
The technology used to carve the coal was more primitive than the technology we have now.
As time went on coal carving became more of a well known craft and people that practised it were able to make special tools are create effects using lighter and darker coloured coals.
One man who pioneered in the art of coal carving and the practices used in the process was Shi Yuping who believed that handiworks made from coal required a subtle touch and careful attention.
Later he went on to make advances in tools and expressionism.
The Datong Government later promoted coal carving where it was introduced at various exhibitions, making it more and more popular.
This means that despite the ancient art of coal carving, dating back thousands of years, it has become known as a more modern art form and is on the international market.
Many tourists visiting China buy from coal merchants who sell carved coal items to take back home as gifts, highlighting the popularity of the craft.
The coal carved item may be something large like an ornament or a smaller, more delicate item such as a figure hanging on a key ring.