"Tiannan Tribute" - Coconut Carving

Coconut carvings made of coconut shells are unique handicrafts in Hainan. In the old days, officials often used them to pay tribute to the court, so they got the name "Tiannan". "tribute". Coconut carvings are made with exquisite craftsmanship, simple style, beautiful shapes and strong local characteristics.

Coconut carving production requires several processes such as material selection, modeling, carving, flowering, inlaying, planing, and modification. It is divided into green shell, tin inlay, silver inlay, shell carving inlay, gypsum inlay, sandalwood inlay, ceramic collage and many other categories. The carving techniques include sunken carving, relief carving, through carving, brown carving, collage, oil paint, etc. The products include small and exquisite fruit plates, rice bowls, wine cups, decorative boxes, coconut pearl necklaces, as well as gorgeous and elegant tea sets, wine sets, vases, table lamps, trophies, and various high-end hanging screens, sitting screens, screens, etc.;

Hainan coconut carvings can be traced back to the first year of Xuanzong in the middle Tang Dynasty (847). "Notes on Eastern Guangdong" records: When Li Deyu was relegated to Yazhou, he sawed coconut shells into ladles, spoons, bowls and cups as eating and drinking utensils. Lu Guimeng, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, wrote a poem about "disinfecting a coconut cup full of wine", which shows that coconut shells have been used to disinfect and prevent miasma and have been made into daily necessities for at least 1,100 years. By the Song Dynasty, coconut bowls, cups, and coconut pots with exquisite craftsmanship had become popular at the banquets of scholar-bureaucrats.

"Zhengde Qiongtai Chronicles" records: In the fourth year of Shaosheng of the Song Dynasty (1097), Su Dongpo was relegated to Dan'er (today's Zhonghe Town, Dan County) and asked local artists to use coconut shells to carve them into coconut hats, which is called coconut hats. "Coconut Crown" has the poem "Invite drunken guests from the drizzle, and even give the empty shell to the crown master". It can be seen that the coconut carving skills at that time had reached a very high level. As for the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China, it was very common to use coconut carvings as gifts and supplies.

Hainan coconut carving has been continuously practiced by artists of all generations, and its skills have become increasingly sophisticated and perfect. The "Carp spitting beads table lamp" and "Coconut carving ancient tripod" produced by Wenchang County Craft Factory participated in the 1978 National Arts and Crafts Exhibition and the 1985 National Arts and Crafts Hundred Flowers Award, and were awarded the title of "Four New" high-quality products in Guangdong.

The "Carp Spitting Pearls Table Lamp" was conceived and created based on the "Carp Spitting Pearls Picture" in traditional Chinese New Year paintings, which represents good luck and good luck. It consists of three parts: coconut ball, carp and pedestal, which are connected into a seamless whole. The carp is carved from camphor wood, and the entire fish body is made of coconut shells. It uses round carvings and reliefs to create a lifelike image. The big "water drop" on the fish's mouth is a huge coconut shell, which is carved using tooth carving techniques. More than 10 carps of different shapes are carved in the middle, which is quite interesting. A rotating device is installed at the bottom of the seat, and the "water droplets" slowly rotate when the power is turned on.

The "Coconut Girl", "Lion", "Monkey", "Rabbit" and other series of products created using whole coconuts are novel and unique, with vivid and vivid depictions of animals and characters. They have been popular in the national tourism handicraft trade. Won first prize at the meeting.

For details, please refer to CCTV International website information: /geography/mfms/20010712/5.html