Gilding Craft of Bai Ethnic Minority in Heqing County, Dali 

Historical Origin

• Origin and Development: The silver craftsmanship in Heqing County has a long history. As early as the Nanzhao period, craftsmen in Heqing began traveling from village to village to craft silver and copper utensils. According to the Heqing County Chronicles, since the Ming Dynasty, with the garrisoning of the central government in Heqing, a large number of Han and other ethnic craftsmen and advanced production techniques were introduced to Heqing and integrated with local craftsmanship, forming the unique silver craftsmanship of Heqing. Over time, this craft has continuously absorbed and borrowed features from other ethnic groups and regions, gradually developing its own distinctive style.
• Cultural Background: Heqing County is one of the main settlements of the Bai people. The Bai people have created a rich cultural heritage in their long history of production and life. Gilding craft, as part of the traditional handicraft of the Bai people, is closely connected with the folk culture, religious beliefs, and other aspects of the Bai people, reflecting their aesthetic concepts and cultural characteristics.

Craft Process

1. Material Selection: Typically, silver with a high purity is selected as the main material. Sometimes other metals, such as gold and copper, are also used to enhance the color and texture of the work.
2. Melting: The silver block is placed in a melting furnace to become liquid silver.
3. Hammering and Beating: The liquid silver is hammered to extend it into a sheet.
4. Mold Making: An initial mold is created, and the silver sheet is hammered on the initial mold to form a preliminary shape.
5. Filling the Mold: Rosin and other fillers are injected into the silver blank to facilitate subsequent processing.
6. Chiseling: Steel chisels and small hammers are used to create patterns and textures on the surface of the silver.
7. Drawing: The silver is processed into threads, which are then shaped into jewelry through techniques such as coiling, flower pinching, thread filling, and stacking.
8. Inlaying: Patterns are cast into the surface of the object, and gold and silver threads or sheets are embedded into the grooves, then polished with a polishing stone.
9. Melting: The rosin and other fillers are removed through high temperatures.
10. Combining and Welding: The patterns are assembled into complete jewelry or objects.
11. Cleaning: The silver blank is cleaned with plum vinegar, sour papaya juice, and other substances to remove impurities.
12. Polishing: The semi-finished product is immersed in detergent and brushed with a copper wire brush to make the surface shiny.
13. Gilding: A special adhesive is applied to the surface of the silver object, and gold foil is attached. The gold foil is gently hammered to ensure it adheres firmly to the silver surface, forming golden patterns or textures.

Artistic Style and Features

• Exquisite Patterns: The patterns of the gilding craft usually have a strong ethnic flavor, with common designs such as dragons and phoenixes, flowers and birds, fish and insects, and human figures, symbolizing good fortune and happiness.
• Strong Color Contrast: The contrast between gold and silver creates a striking visual effect, making the work more magnificent and noble.
• Fine Craftsmanship: The gilding craft requires extremely high skill and patience, with every detail meticulously crafted, giving the work high artistic and collection value.

Heritage and Protection

• Current Heritage Status: The silver craftsmanship of Heqing is mainly passed down in Xinhua Village, Heqing County, where there are many silver-making families who have passed down the craft from generation to generation. Currently, over 3,000 households in Heqing County are engaged in the production and sales of silverware, with about 18,000 employees, forming a complete industrial chain.
• Protection Measures: In 2014, the silver craftsmanship of Heqing was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage by the State Council, receiving better protection and传承. The local government and relevant departments have also taken a series of measures, such as establishing intangible cultural heritage inheritance bases, conducting training activities, and holding exhibitions, to promote the inheritance and development of Heqing silver craftsmanship.