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“Ji Gu Ge Rubbing Technique Applies for Cultural Heritage Status, Showcasing the Beauty of Traditional Craftsmanship” (With Pictures)
Source: China Cultural Relics Network
Published: 2011-08-17 11:06
China Cultural Relics Network reported that Ji Gu Ge, a renowned antique and treasure shop located on Liulichang East Street in Beijing’s Xicheng District, has achieved significant milestones in preserving, developing, and protecting the traditional art of rubbings over the past 50 years. Ji Gu Ge’s rubbing technique has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Beijing’s Xicheng District and is currently applying for city-level and national intangible cultural heritage status. On August 15, China Cultural Relics Network launched a new intangible cultural heritage feature—“Ji Gu Ge Rubbings.”
The Art of Ji Gu Ge Rubbings
Ji Gu Ge rubbings are crafted through a unique and intricate technique, offering both high decorative value and practical utility. The process involves carving patterns and text into stone slabs, overlaying them with Xuan paper, and completing the work through dozens of meticulous manual steps. The themes are derived from historical elements such as Qin Dynasty bricks, Han Dynasty tiles, Dunhuang murals, and famous ancient inscriptions. Each rubbing tells a story, depicting labor scenes like farming, harvesting, cotton planting and picking, spinning, and weaving; teaching moments, such as Confucius lecturing on rituals; and recreational activities like polo and acrobatics. The rubbings vividly reflect China’s rich history and 5,000 years of culture.
Ji Gu Ge has continuously innovated, introducing colored rubbings by incorporating dozens of mineral pigments into the traditional craft. These advancements enhance the splendor of ancient Chinese culture, providing a brilliant and vibrant visual effect.
Promoting and Preserving the Art
The feature integrates the historical and cultural context of Ji Gu Ge rubbings with knowledge about their collection, preservation, and protection. Additionally, it links to Ji Gu Ge’s online store on the Liulichang Antique Art Trading Network, facilitating direct sales and supporting the intangible cultural heritage market.
The Unique Value of Rubbings
Rubbings are invaluable for their ability to authentically and vividly replicate the essence of ancient art, capturing details with a precision that modern high-tech methods cannot fully achieve. The content they preserve represents precious historical records. Ji Gu Ge’s craft retains the spirit and essence of traditional rubbing techniques while introducing the innovation of colored rubbings, showcasing exquisite artistry that reflects the realism of ancient Chinese stone carvings. These rubbings encapsulate the hard work, creativity, and wisdom of multiple generations at Ji Gu Ge. They narrate historical stories and legends, presenting the labor scenes of the past and highlighting the brilliance of China’s 5,000-year civilization.
Rubbings as Art and Decoration
Initially a method for documenting the details of steles and bronzeware, rubbings now primarily serve academic research. However, their aesthetic appeal, coupled with the unique charm of traditional paper and ink, has made them highly valued as decorative art. Mounted as scrolls or framed for display, they bring a scholarly and historical ambiance to homes, offering endless fascination and elegance. Ji Gu Ge rubbings have become popular as modern decorative items in China and are also highly sought after by international collectors. Over the years, they have remained affordable and popular souvenirs in Liulichang.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Over its 50-year history, through the tireless efforts of three generations, Ji Gu Ge has preserved and innovated the rubbing technique, particularly with the introduction of colored rubbings made with diverse mineral pigments. The preservation of stone carvings is a difficult endeavor, and with the aging of master craftsmen, the continuity of this traditional art faces significant challenges. Preserving the unique characteristics of Ji Gu Ge rubbings has become both a pressing challenge and an important factor in enhancing their collectible value.
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汲古阁拓片申遗 展现拓片传统技艺之美（图）
http://www.socang.com 2011-08-17 11:06 来源：中国文物网
中国文物网讯 位于北京市西城区琉璃厂东街的古玩珍品名店汲古阁，在成立50余年来继承发展和保护拓片技术上得到了很多成果。汲古阁拓片技艺现已被列为北京市西城区非物质文化遗产，并正在申报北京市、国家级非物质文化遗产。8月15日，中国文物网全新推出非遗专题——《汲古阁拓片》。
汲古阁拓片的制作也是一门独特的技艺。且具有极高的装饰效果和实用价值。制作的时候，先将图形文字雕刻在石板上，再将宣纸覆上，经过数十道工序的手工操作才能完成。其题材主要来源于秦砖汉瓦，敦煌壁画及名碑等历史典故，每幅拓片都是在讲述故事，劳动的场景有耕种、丰收、种棉花、采棉花、纺线、织布；教学的场面有孔子讲学礼仪；运动的情景包括打马球、杂技表演等，以极其丰富的内容体现了中华民族悠久的历史和5000年的灿烂文化。汲古阁还不断改进技术，从色彩和制作工艺上进行了创新，利用几十种矿物质颜料，推出了彩色拓片，更精彩展现了古代文化的绚丽。
专题在结合汲古阁拓片历史文化背景的同时还将拓片收藏、保护保存的知识一同展现出来。并将琉璃厂古玩艺术品交易网汲古阁的网上店铺进行直接链接销售，推广非遗市场保护。
拓片之珍贵，首先在于它能清晰地、完整地、准确地、生动地、真实地再现了古代艺术的神韵，当今高科技技术也难以达到其“原汁原味”的效果。且它所记录、表现出来的内容，都是极其宝贵的历史资料。汲古阁拓片技艺传承了传统拓片的神韵优势，并创新开发彩拓这一新的品种，使得拓片精湛传神，反映了中国古代石刻艺术的现实主意神态。包含了汲古阁几代人的辛勤劳动创造和智慧的结晶。它把许多的历史故事和传说中的劳动场景展现在我们面前从中体现出中华民族灿烂辉煌的历史，和中华民族五千年的文明史。
拓片最初是记录碑石、青铜等文物面貌信息的一种手段及展现方式。在社会高度发展的今天，拓片展现保存信息的功能大多都是用在学术研究之上，但其美观的效果、特有纸墨的美韵更多的展现出其装饰美的效果。裱成卷轴、装成镜框，悬挂家中，体现一种书香气息和历史的韵味，趣味无穷，惬意十足。汲古阁拓片不仅成为国内现代寓所的装饰品，也深受外国人的喜爱，多年来，一直是琉璃厂热销的物美价廉的旅游商品。
汲古阁在50余年的历史过程中、三代传承人的不懈努力，发掘保护了拓片的技术，并开创了用多种矿物颜料制作的彩色拓片。石刻碑板的留存是非常的不易，技艺传承人逐年老去，传承后继是现在面临的最大问题。保留汲古阁拓片特色就成了真正的挑战，也很大程度上的提高了收藏价值。