Production techniques of mottled copper

The name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Spotted copper production techniques

Applicant: Qujing City, Yunnan Province

Project No.: 901

Project No.: VIII - 118

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: traditional art

Region: Yunnan Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Qujing City, Yunnan Province

Protected by: Qujing Cultural Center

Brief introduction of spot copper production technology:

Applicant: Qujing City, Yunnan Province

As early as the pre Qin period, Yunnan was famous for its bronze ware making. During the Qin and Han Dynasties, "zhutixi" and "tanglangxi" produced by Zhuti and Tanglang (now Zhaotong City, Dongchuan county and Huize County of Yunnan Province) were sold all over the world. By the Ming Dynasty, Yunnan Copper craftsmen used the natural porphyry copper ore near Dongchuan to make figures, animals, antique bottles, tripods, furnaces, pots, barons and other porphyry copper products by cold forging, which opened a new way for copper making.

When copper is doped with gold, silver and other metals that are not completely fused, a special glow spot will appear, forming mottled copper. Spot copper has dark blue, purple gold, red and other colors, the most dazzling is golden yellow. Craftsmen use mottled copper to make utensils. After the surface is polished, the natural effect of mottling will appear on the bronze base, and the mottling shadow of each utensil is not the same. Spot copper production technology is a unique traditional handicraft in Yunnan, which has high historical and cultural value. It is of great significance to protect and develop the production technology of mottled copper to show the creativity of national culture.