The Making of Chinese Wicker Animals

How are Bamboo Wicker Animals Made?

The process of crafting bamboo wicker animals involves five steps and is considered a comprehensive art form in the field of bamboo weaving. Generally, the production of bamboo wicker animals can be divided into the following stages: design on paper, making the mold, weaving, assembly, and coloring and varnishing.

The first step is sketching the design on paper. Craftsmen need to consider the characteristics of the animal, body curves, the weaving patterns to be used, and material choices for different parts (such as limbs, ears, wings, etc.) to ensure they seamlessly come together, presenting a complete piece. Once the design is complete, the mold-making begins. Craftsmen initially create a prototype of the animal's body using wood, then apply two to three layers of gauze on the wooden prototype. After the gauze dries, a section is cut, removing the wooden prototype, and then it is connected again using glue. Finally, it is coated with porcelain paint and left to dry.

During the actual weaving process, craftsmen decide where to start based on the overall structure of the animal's shape. Typically, they start from the head, gradually extending to the tail, weaving from local parts to the overall structure. After completing the weaving of the animal's body, bamboo and wooden carved parts such as limbs, ears, wings, and box handles need to be assembled. The last step involves coloring and varnishing to give the entire piece a polished and cohesive finish.