White Hat Braids, Black Pottery, Embroidery

White Hat Braids, Black Pottery, Embroidery

　　White Hat Braids　　A traditional handicraft from Linwei District. Handwoven from wheat straw, it features a bright white color, fine texture, and an elegant, graceful appearance. It is primarily used to make straw hats, baskets, cushions, containers, wall hangings, and more. The products are exported across China as well as to Japan, the UK, and various Southeast Asian countries. Black Pottery　　Weinan black pottery is an unglazed ceramic. It is made from the pure, fine red clay of Fuping County. Through a series of entirely handcrafted processes — including smelting, aging, wheel throwing, polishing, painting, and carving — the finished pieces are ancient in style, deep black and glossy, producing a resonant tone when struck. Depending on the craftsmanship, colors can range from jet black to silver gray and orange-yellow.

Black pottery is an ideal handicraft for bringing nature indoors, decorating homes, giving as gifts to friends, or collecting and appreciating. It is highly favored by artists and travelers both in China and abroad. Embroidery　　Embroidery has been passed down through generations in Weinan and is widespread throughout the city. There are over a hundred varieties and designs. The main products include pillows, children’s hats, abdominal covers, door curtains, insoles, bed surrounds, sewing kits, purses, and animal toys. Their motifs often feature flowers, birds, insects, fish, and scenes of local customs. Women in the Tongguan area embroider peonies symbolizing wealth and elegant lotus flowers on both ends of cloth stirrups, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and great visual appeal, earning them the title “the finest of Eastern Shanxi embroidery.” With the changing times, the content of these embroidered items has been updated. Meanwhile, some traditional embroidered goods have entered the foreign trade market. (Weinan)