Mokume Gane (Wood Grain Gold), like its literal meaning, is a metallurgical process that shows wood-like patterns on metal surfaces. Using metals’ different colors such as platinum, yellow gold, rose gold, copper, silver, brass, iron, steel, titanium, etc., metals are stacked together, welded at high temperature and pressure. After forging, hammering, sawing and other processes, the natural colors in metal are superimposed to produce a rich natural texture. A steel chisel or a drill then is used to engrave or cut the surface of the metal to make the wood grain pattern.
Lacquerware is a daily utensil and handicraft made from lacquer. The lacquer is a real natural paint. It is a natural juice cut from the lacquer tree. Used as paint, lacquer has the functions of moisture-proof, high temperature resistance, acid and alkali resistance, insulation and anticorrosion. The lacquer tree needs to grow for ten years before it can be collected, and the dog days are the best time to collect. A lacquer tree can only cut 10 kilograms of raw lacquer over its entire life cycle, and cutting needs to follow a strict system and method. A slight carelessness can lead to the death of lacquer trees. The extreme difficulty of collecting lacquer makes its price very expensive.
Filigree & Inlay originated in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 B.C.) in ancient China, and achieved superb artistic level in the Ming Dynasty. Pure gold or silveris drawn into filaments that are as thin as hairs. Filaments are then knotted, filled, assembled, welded, weaved and heaped into patterns. Inlaying is to use various different techniques to make the gold or silver sheet into shapes, and then set with pearls or precious stones. The whole process isvery complicatedgoing throughdozens of steps, and with the use of precious materials, in history Filigree & Inlaying craftsmanship has always been used only for the production of Royal supplies.
