Paper-cutting of Yuxian County

Originated from the Ming Dynasty, paper-cutting of Yuxian County, a kind of folk art with special characteristics, enjoys high reputation at home and abroad. It is unique among many kinds of paper-cutting nationwide by its handicraft, namely, engraving instead of cutting. Specifically, with thin rice paper as the raw material, the paper-cutting should be based on engraving by a small and sharp engraving knife and stippling with bright and flowery colors, and comprises such basic handicraft as sculpt design, sample smoking, engraving and stippling.

On May 20, 2006, this heritage was listed into the first-batch state-level immaterial cultural heritage catalogue upon the approval of the State Council. On June 5, 2007, upon confirmation of the Ministry of Culture of PRC, Zhou Zhaoming in Yuxian County of Hebei Province became a representative inheritor of this cultural heritage project, and was listed among 226 representative inheritors regarding the first-batch state-level immaterial cultural heritage project. According to the history record, paper-cutting of Yuxian County could date bake to Daoguang Period of the Qing Dynasty and has a history of over 150 years. Yuxian people usually call paper-cutting as “window decoration”. People there are good at making “window decoration”, of which, “Tianpiliang” could be the earliest pattern, namely, drawing and coloring on isinglass sheet for decoration. At an early stage, certain “designs”, used in embroidery on embroidery shoes, pouch and pillow, were very popular locally. Later, xylograph watermark window decoration spread there from Wuqiang County of Hebei Province. Paper-cutting of Yuxian County extracted its color characteristics, imitated transparent effect of “Tianpiliang”, and adopted engraving other than cutting, thus formed a special style. Paper-cutting of Yuxian County focuses on “intaglio engraving” and “stippling”, so there is a saying “engraving by thirty percent and stippling by seventy percent”. Thereinto, a famous representative is called Wang Laoshang (1890-1951). Besides, subject matters for paper-cutting of Yuxian County are mostly derived from opera characters, as well as some auspicious images like flowers, grasses, fish, insects, birds and animals.

Paper-cutting of Yuxian County is China’s exclusive stippling paper-cutting focusing on “intaglio engraving”, known by delicate engraving and gorgeous colors. Generally, paper-cutting of Yuxian County features engraving by rilievi, color by intaglio engraving, sculpt by materials and stippling by varieties. Conventionally known as “window decoration” locally, most paper-cutting in Yuxian County was fabricated by nameless farmer artists for generations, displaying opera characters, fish, insects, birds and animals, as well as rural life. Those works boast perfect composition, live sculpt, and resplendent colors, which are somewhat profound but delicate, and cunning but simple. When pasted on windows, in case of sunshine, they would be seen exquisitely engraved, fairly colorful and especially vigorous, expressing joyous, lucid and fresh sentiment. Generally, paper-cutting of Yuxian County boasts broad subjects, profound theme and strong life atmosphere. 

Among China’s large varieties of paper-cutting, paper-cutting of Yuxian County is indeed unique, which is called stippling paper-cutting, with “intaglio engraving” as the main part, and rilievi as the sideline one. Its technical courses could be divided into the following six working procedures: 
First: drawing; second: binding; third: soaking; fourth: engraving; fifth: stippling, sixth: wrapping.

With Yangliuqing New Year’s painting and Wuqiang xylograph New Year’s painting as reference, paper-cutting of Yuxian County is a kind of folk art created by many folk artists through hard exploration. It is marvelous to the eye by its graceful composition and delicate work. In particular, leverage upon strict style, common appearance and spirit, and exclusive style and characteristics, paper-cutting of Yuxian County has represented special and mighty artistic vitality on the national paper-cutting stage. Paper-cutting of Yuxian County is China’s exclusive stippling paper-cutting focusing on “intaglio engraving”, known by delicate engraving and gorgeous colors. Generally, paper-cutting of Yuxian County features engraving by rilievi, color by intaglio engraving, sculpt by materials and stippling by varieties. Conventionally known as “window decoration” locally, most paper-cutting in Yuxian County was fabricated by nameless farmer artists for generations, displaying opera characters, fish, insects, birds and animals, as well as rural life. Those works boast perfect composition, live sculpt, and resplendent colors, which are somewhat profound but delicate, and cunning but simple. When pasted on windows, in case of sunshine, they would be seen exquisitely engraved, fairly colorful and especially vigorous, expressing joyous, lucid and fresh sentiment.

Classical facial makeup is the classics of paper-cutting of Yuxian County. Paper-cutting of Yuxian County falls into over 3,000 varieties, and is marketed in China and over 40 foreign countries and regions all over the world. Currently, 96 administrative villages in 16 towns of Yuxian County are engaged in the paper-cutting industry. Regarding those well-known folk arts, none of them could resemble paper-cutting of Yuxian County.

Paper-cutting of Yuxian County also sets foot in such sectors as New Year’s painting, door painting, New Year’s card, travel sheet, bookmark and book cover, thus paper-cutting could embrace a newer and wider artistic field.

Paper-cutting of Yuxian County boasts broad subjects, profound theme and strong life atmosphere. Related products have been sold to over 40 countries and regions like the U.S., Japan, Canada and Singapore, etc. Deeply favored by domestic and foreign customers, paper-cutting of Yuxian County has been renowned at home and abroad.