Craftsmanship inheritance
Value in Craftsmanship · Worth in Legacy
Craftsmanship is the core language that IvyC emphasizes most. The brand started with carving, emphasizing the use of handcraftsmanship to present the natural texture and layers of materials, and taking pride in the quality standards of its finished products. From design, carving, polishing to finished product inspection, every process prioritizes consistency in details, striving to ensure that the finished product is not only aesthetically pleasing but also comfortable for everyday wear.
Beyond its precious material value, ancient ivory carries a profound cultural significance. Chinese ivory carving art has been passed down for millennia, with the earliest unearthed ivory artifacts dating back to the Neolithic Age. Therefore, ancient ivory is not merely a material, but also a natural imprint on history, a continuation of exquisite craftsmanship, and a carrier of cultural traditions and memories.
Origin and history of crafts
From Ancient Civilizations to the Formation of East Asian Craft Systems
The identification of intangible cultural heritage
Institutional recognition of the value of craftsmanship
After entering the 20th century, with the popularization of industrialized production and material substitution, ivory carving, as a traditional handicraft, gradually faced the dilemma of inheritance.
To protect its craft value and cultural significance, China included " ivory carving techniques " in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage lists in 2006 .
To protect its craft value and cultural significance, China included " ivory carving techniques " in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage lists in 2006 .
This recognition, based on its clear historical context, complete technical system, and important position in art history, marks ivory carving as a cultural heritage that needs protection and research, moving beyond its status as a practical and decorative craft.
The Role of Contemporary Heritage and Brands
The Continuation of Technology in Transformation
IvyC's craftsmanship originates from its predecessor, Jinhui Carving Factory.
Founded in 1975 by Mr. Zheng Xiangqin (1943–2013) in Hong Kong, Jinhui Carving Factory later established a processing plant in Fuzhou. The factory engaged in ivory carving production and international trade in Hong Kong, participating in Hong Kong's historical role as an important circulation hub for ivory carving art.
Founded in 1975 by Mr. Zheng Xiangqin (1943–2013) in Hong Kong, Jinhui Carving Factory later established a processing plant in Fuzhou. The factory engaged in ivory carving production and international trade in Hong Kong, participating in Hong Kong's historical role as an important circulation hub for ivory carving art.
With the comprehensive regulation of the global ivory trade in the 21st century, traditional ivory carving is facing a structural transformation. Since 2022 , while respecting legal and cultural responsibilities, the brand has shifted its focus to the research and application of ancient ivory, continuing its core spirit of understanding materials and carving techniques.
Building on this foundation, IvyC translates the proportions, details, and rhythm of handcrafting derived from ivory carving into contemporary jewelry design, ensuring that the craftsmanship is not only preserved but also continuously understood and carried on within a new design context.
Artistic Achievements of Ivory Carving
Highly technical three-dimensional presentation
Ivory carving is considered one of the most technically demanding categories in traditional Eastern sculpture. Due to the material's dense and irreversible structure, craftsmen must complete multi-layered shapes within a limited volume, requiring extremely strict control over proportion, space, and detail.
Historically, ivory carving art has achieved remarkable success in three-dimensional openwork carving, fine relief carving, and composite composition, and is especially famous for its multi-layered openwork carving and exquisite figure depiction.
At the 1915 World's Fair in San Francisco, China won the championship in the art competition among many countries with a 25-layer ivory ball carved by Weng Zhao from Guangzhou.
At the 1915 World's Fair in San Francisco, China won the championship in the art competition among many countries with a 25-layer ivory ball carved by Weng Zhao from Guangzhou.
Its artistic value lies not only in the technical difficulty, but also in the understanding of natural order, religious beliefs and aesthetic ideals in different periods.
Traditional processes and techniques
A systematic and irreversible production process
The process of ivory carving is highly systematic and relies on long-term accumulated experience. Traditional steps generally include:
- Material selection: Determining suitable subjects based on the density, color, and texture of the ivory.
- Design: Combining material properties with compositional requirements to establish proportions and structure.
- Rough blank: Initial removal of excess parts to establish the basic outline
- Sculpting: Refine the form and establish the main structure
- Fine carving and polishing: layer-by-layer treatment of details and transitions
- Polishing: reveals the warm luster unique to ivory.
- Inlay (if applicable): Combining with other materials to complete the final structure.
Because each step is irreversible, any technical mistake will affect the overall work. Therefore, ivory carving has long been mastered by only a few professional craftsmen.