Cai-style Lacquered thread sculpture

Lacquer work originated in the Shang Dynasty three thousand years ago and the Xiamen specialty of Lacquered Thread Sculpture has been a traditional art and craft in Xiamen for three hundred years. Lacquered thread is hand made by rolling a mixture of brick powder, Chinese lacquer, boiled wood oil and other ingredients. Then the lacquered thread is placed on a mold to shape relief pictures.

It is said the development of Lacquered Thread Sculpture depends on the good will of the gods and derives from Buddha sculpture. As the 12th generation successor of Cai-style lacquered thread sculpture, the famous artist Cai Shuikuang transformed the Lacquered Thread Sculpture into an independent art of decoration which has become the main Lacquered Thread Sculpture and is well received. His works of art have been collected by the China National Art & Crafts Museum.