Qingdao Shell Carving

Qingdao Shell Carving

　　    The Qingdao Shell Carving Craft Factory was established in 1962 and has a history of over thirty years. It is a specialized arts and crafts factory engaged in the production and sale of shell carving handicrafts. The products of the Qingdao Shell Carving Craft Factory inherit and promote traditional Chinese craftsmanship, using rare seashells as raw materials. By integrating techniques from jade carving, wood carving, and mother-of-pearl inlay, the artisans meticulously craft flat, relief, and three-dimensional forms such as wall hangings, jewelry, and travel souvenirs, which are highly favored by visitors. Especially notable are the recently developed large three-dimensional pieces — "Nine Dragons Screen," "Dragon and Phoenix Vase," "Dragon Boat," and "Precious Shell Inlaid Double-Sided Screen" — which are exquisitely crafted and hold significant ornamental and collectible value. Artisans skillfully utilize the natural colors and textures of shells to create a variety of handicrafts. Renowned both in China and abroad for their innovative designs, exquisite craftsmanship, vibrant colors, and profound symbolism, these works are displayed in prestigious locations such as Zhongnanhai in Beijing, the Great Hall of the People, the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, Beijing Capital International Airport, and the Asian Games Village. The products have won the "Tianma" Gold Award from the National Tourism Administration, the Silver Cup Prize (the highest award) at China's Arts and Crafts "Hundred Flowers Awards," and are exported to over forty countries and regions around the world. The product range currently includes seven major series with nearly a thousand varieties, mainly featuring shell carving wall hangings and screens themed around flowers and birds, figures, landscapes, and still life. These come in a full range of specifications and diverse forms, offering strong decorative and aesthetic appeal, suitable for lobbies and meeting rooms in hotels, as well as for home and artistic decoration. There are also small, portable items such as framed paintings, souvenirs, jewelry, and three-dimensional ornaments, all of which are beloved by domestic and international guests, making them ideal gifts for friends and family, celebratory tokens, or commemorative presents. (Qingdao)

　　【Qingdao Shell Carving】 Shell carving is an art form that uses seashells as raw materials, taking advantage of their natural shapes, colors, luster, and patterns. It is meticulously designed by artisans...

　　...and created through more than ten processes including material selection, carving, etching, shaping, assembly, polishing, and packaging.

　　 Qingdao shell carving was first developed in 1960 by the Qingdao Arts and Crafts Research Institute. In 1963, the Qingdao Shell Carving Craft Factory was established and began producing shell carvings.

　　At that time, only relatively simple flat shell carvings could be made, but over time, the craft evolved into semi-relief and nearly three-dimensional forms. Shell carving artisans

　　drew inspiration from traditional Chinese painting techniques and borrowed skills from ivory, jade, and stone carving. By combining carving, pasting, spraying, and painting, they produced shell carvings in a wide range of sizes and designs.

　　Whether depicting flowers, insects, birds, landscapes, figures, or still life, the shell carvings are lifelike, delicate, and strikingly realistic. Shell carvings can also be made into multi-panel screens (four or six panels). Currently, in addition to shell carving paintings, the factory also produces various household items, travel souvenirs, and decorative pieces for architecture, furniture, and clothing, all of which are widely loved by the public.

　　In addition to shell carving paintings, the factory can also produce various household items, travel souvenirs, and decorative pieces for architecture, furniture, and clothing in different shapes.

　　All are widely loved by the general public.

　　 Qingdao shell carving has developed on the foundation of excavating and inheriting China’s ancient traditional art. As early as in primitive society, our ancestors

　　used shells to make simple ornaments. During the Western Zhou Dynasty, shells were ground into various decorative pieces and inlaid onto objects, giving rise to the "mother-of-pearl inlay"

　　craft. Shell carving evolved from the "mother-of-pearl inlay" technique. Qingdao was one of the first regions in China to produce shell carving paintings after the founding of the People’s Republic.

　　 Since their inception, Qingdao shell carving paintings have participated in numerous domestic art exhibitions, the Canton Fair, and international expos in countries such as the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and France.

　　The large-scale screen painting "Princess Wencheng Enters Tibet," which measures over 3 meters in length and more than 2 meters in width, features 84 figures. It is meticulously composed, richly layered, vividly diverse, and lively in atmosphere, bringing to life the grand occasion of Princess Wencheng’s entry into Tibet.

　　Other majestic works such as "The Great Wall," "Great Ambitions," "Revitalize China," as well as "The Goddess of Luo River" and "Colorful Silk," have been used as decorations in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing Capital International Airport, international trains, and some overseas embassies.

　　Qingdao shell carving paintings were recognized as a Shandong Provincial Brand Product in 1978 and won the Silver Cup Prize at the Fifth China Arts and Crafts “Hundred Flowers Awards” in 1985.

　　Currently, Qingdao shell carving handicrafts are exported to over 50 countries and regions across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

　　Silver Cup Award of the Arts and Crafts "Hundred Flowers Awards." Currently, Qingdao shell carving handicrafts are exported to over 50 countries and regions across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.