Tianjin Woodcarving

Tianjin Woodcarving

　　　   Tianjin woodcarving originated in the Qing Dynasty and is a folk handicraft renowned both at home and abroad. At that time, Yun, Jian, and Zhao were three of the largest woodcarving workshops. The Yun family excelled at carving phoenixes, while the Fang family was known for lions, hence the saying “Fang’s lions, Yun’s phoenixes.” The woodcarving industry was most famously represented by Liu Xinglin (1879–1972), known as “Woodcarving Liu.” The woodcarving industry was most famously represented by Liu Xinglin (1879–1972), known as ‘Woodcarving Liu.’ Through the dedicated exploration and practice of various master artisans, Tianjin woodcarving integrated characteristics from both the north and south of China, and combined traditional Chinese painting compositions with woodcarving techniques. This gradually gave rise to its unique style—exquisitely delicate and graceful yet also simple and bold. The stage woodcarvings of the Guangdong Guild Hall in Tianjin stand as a masterpiece representing the artistry of Tianjin woodcarving. In 1960, “Woodcarving Liu” was commissioned to create a large-scale woodcarving piece for the Great Hall of the People, bringing Tianjin woodcarving to the forefront of national prominence.