Basic Introduction to Baling Stone Carvings
Baling stone carvings are noted for their novel themes and exquisite craftsmanship. Each piece is carved according to a single theme, with the Baling stone carvings excelling in depicting details such as bird feathers, horse manes, ox hooves, sheep eyes, lawns, and flower petals.
The historical and contemporary figures, pavilions, landscapes, flowers, fish, insects, animals, smoking and drinking utensils, as well as the four treasures of the study, seals, and stamp materials that are carved from Baling stone are all crafted based on the color, texture, and shape of the stone material. The chicken-blood seals carved from Baling stone are considered by experts to be rare treasures among all types of seals.
The Baling stone gets its name from the Baling Right Banner in Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia. It is characterized by its moderate hardness, warm texture, and vibrant colors, making it especially suitable for the artistic creation of “China Seal – China Trust” seals and fine stone carvings. It enjoys a reputation as one of the “Four Famous Stones of China.” Today, Baling stone carving, now recognized as a representative project of the fifth batch of national intangible cultural heritage, has entered a new stage of development and embraced a broader platform for growth.
The development of Baling stone carving from a traditional craft art into a culturally influential industry is inseparable from several key conditions: first, high-quality and high-grade stone materials; second, skilled artisans who strive for perfection; third, a policy environment that encourages support, inheritance, and innovation. With these conditions in place, not only did Baling stone earn the title of China's Well-Known Trademark and become the first in our region to receive state geographical indication protection, but also allowed Baling stone carvings to rank among the national intangible cultural heritage representative projects. Works of Baling stone carving have been presented as national gifts during important diplomatic events to foreign leaders.
Baling stone carving is a splendid gem in the garden of China's intangible cultural heritage. This traditional skill requires not only effective protection but also good inheritance and development.
Product Characteristics
A significant feature of Baling stone carvings is transforming Baling stones into richly diverse and exquisitely crafted artworks, infusing these cold stones with infinite vitality.
Historical Folklore
The art of Baling stone carving has a long history, with works dating back to the Neolithic Age, such as the bird-shaped jade rings, hook-shaped decorative plaques, and spinning melons mentioned earlier from the Hongshan Culture. Subsequently, with the progress of history and society, the art of Baling stone carving experienced two peaks. One was during the Liao Dynasty, when the ruling power adopted policies of “governance according to local customs” politically and promoted strengths while avoiding weaknesses in culture and arts. With the establishment of the capital and other cities, a series of grand cultural facilities were constructed. The construction of numerous temples, pagodas, mausoleums, grotto temples, and scenic areas brought about a vibrant cultural life in the Liao Empire, creating unique cultural and artistic achievements. The Baling stone carving reached one of its peaks during this period. Works were characterized by “elegance, simplicity, richness, and robustness,” reflecting the social realities and styles of the time.
In inheriting the traditions of Central Plains culture, the works also embodied the ideal temperament pursued by Northern ethnic groups, displaying distinct characteristics of the times and ethnic customs. In Buddhist sculptures, carvers accurately grasped the features of the Buddha through an understanding of Buddhist scriptures. From form to expression, from facial features to clothing, they emphasized individual characteristics through meticulous carving, building upon the foundations of the Tang Dynasty with successful innovations. In decorative small pieces, Liao Dynasty works often excelled in depicting static animals and had unique sculpting techniques. For example, the Baling stone jade rabbit, by adding a base, gave the sculpture a sense of stability. By emphasizing the roundness of the rabbit's buttocks and short tail, and the backward-pressed ears, it added a sense of movement. By using refined lines to carve animal organs, it formed a bold grassland style, contrasting sharply with the delicate refinement of Song Dynasty carvings. Other works also excelled in boldness, simplicity, and clarity, evoking the spirit of the grassland ethnic groups. Another peak in Baling stone carving occurred in the 1980s. At that time, the mining of Baling stone had become standardized, and the increase in varieties provided carvers with a wider range of stone materials to choose from. The rugged and simple folkways of the northern regions infused the carvers with a special charm, allowing more Baling stone carvings to enter both the Chinese and international markets. Excellent works such as “Taming Horses,” “Young Heroes of the Grasslands,” and “Leopards under the Moonlight” emerged.
With the depletion of Shoushan and Qingtian stone resources, Baling stone carving is poised to take over and lead the field. A testament to this peak was in July 1997, when the People's Government of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region commissioned the Baling Right Banner Fine Arts Company to carve a steed from chicken-blood stone to celebrate Hong Kong's return to China. The stone selection, artistic design, and carving techniques of this piece reached a certain level of excellence, and it was presented as a gift to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, causing a significant social sensation.
Authenticity Identification
Identification Methods
There are four methods for identification: touch, engrave, observe, and compare:
Touch: Feel the surface of the stone to understand the tactile sensation and smoothness.
Engrave: Test the hardness and properties of the stone by engraving with tools.
Observe: Identify the structure and texture of the stone through visual inspection and magnification.
Compare: Contrast and distinguish between good and bad, real and fake.
Content of Identification
Texture Identification: Primarily evaluates the purity, fineness, and integrity of the texture.
Luster Identification: Primarily evaluates the glossiness, observing the texture, luster, warmth, and clarity.
Color Identification: Primarily evaluates the purity and naturalness of the color and the clarity of layers.
Connotation Analysis: Observe the stone's imagery, analyze the artistic conception, and appreciate the profound cultural connotations hidden within the stone.
Honors and Awards for Baling Stone Carvings
The “Swan Teapot” created by Mr. Liu Lingge, a sculptor from Chifeng City, won a silver award, while “Camel Dragon Chain Seal” won a bronze award, and “Snail” received an outstanding design award. The “Eight Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties” by micro-sculptor Mr. Bao Yingzhi from Chifeng City won a silver award, and “The Ode Before the Red Cliffs” won a bronze award. Mr. Li Maomao's “Eighteen Arhats” won a bronze award, and “Autumn Chirping” received the best design award.
On May 24, 2021, Baling stone carving was announced by the State Council as a representative project of the fifth batch of national intangible cultural heritage.