The history of Chinese people using bone objects is long and rich. As early as during theHemuduCulture about 7,000 years ago, people used bone articles as tools. Realizing the bones' natural beauty, they adopted them for decorative purpose, and later used them as utensils.
During the following dynasties, continuous developments were made to the processing of bone articles. Among them is the art of inlaying bones into wood, which is a traditional craft inNingboof East China'sZhejiang Province, and is hailed as one of the four treasures in Ningbo, together with "Guild Wood Carving", "Guild Paint", and "Gold and Silver Embroidery."
During the Sui (581-618BC) and Tang (618-907BC) dynasties, bone-inlaid wood artworks were presented as tributes to the royal court, and by the time of the Song Dynasty (960-1279BC), the art in Ningbo had become a mature craft with a strong local flavor.
In making bone-inlaid wood artworks, pieces of ivory, bones,bronze, or stones are processed and carved into certain decorative patterns before being inlaid into a notched wooden base. After that, the semi-finished product is polished and further embellished before being painted.
In terms of making techniques, there are three inlaying methods: high, flat and high-and-flat inlaying. In the case of high inlaying, the inlaid objects, usually carved with decorative patterns, are higher than the surface of the wooden base; while in flat inlaying, the inlaid objects are level with the wooden base. The artworks can be applied to buildings or furniture for ornamental or practical purposes.
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