THE RADIANT PLATE FROM 400 YEARS AGO: MADE FROM SHELLS!
This stunning artifact, with a rainbow-like sheen, is the Black Lacquer Plate with Inlaid Shells Depicting a Story Scene, housed in the Gushan Pavilion of the Zhejiang Provincial Museum in China. Dating back at least 400 years, this plate captivates with its exquisite design and intricate details, truly a masterpiece of craftsmanship.
这件惊艳的艺术品，表面闪耀着如彩虹般的光泽，名为《黑漆嵌螺钿人物故事图盘》，现收藏于中国浙江省博物馆的孤山馆。距今至少已有400年的历史，这件漆器以其精美的设计和细腻的细节，堪称工艺巅峰之作。
When observing this artifact, you’ll notice that the iridescent colors of the shell inlay shift as you move. The enchanting effect of the colors—transitioning through shades of blue, purple, and pink before settling into the shell’s natural hues—is mesmerizing. Centuries ago, a luxurious item like this, requiring immense time and skill to create, was considered a marvel. The plate’s depictions of pavilions, towers, and clothing vividly reflect the lifestyle of the late Ming Dynasty.
当你仔细观赏这件艺术品时，会发现随着你的移动，螺钿镶嵌的颜色在不断变化。这种迷人的色彩效果，蓝、紫、粉等色调交替变幻，最终显现出贝壳的自然光泽，令人沉醉。在数百年前，这样一件需要耗费大量时间与技艺制作的奢华物品，被视为人间奇迹。盘中描绘的亭台楼阁和人物服饰，生动再现了明代晚期的生活场景。
Can you imagine? These shimmering, multicolored fragments, adorning household items with celestial beauty, are made entirely of shells! This decorative technique, known as shell inlay, has a long history in ancient China.
难以想象，这些闪耀着多彩光辉的碎片，用以装饰家居用品并赋予其天界般的美感，竟完全由贝壳制成！这种装饰工艺被称为螺钿镶嵌，在古代中国有着悠久的历史。
Shell inlay was a popular decorative technique in traditional Chinese furniture and went by various names in ancient texts, including “luodian,” “luotian,” and “xiandan.” It is considered a unique treasure of Chinese traditional art. In the Ming Dynasty, Huang Cheng described shell inlay in his book Xiushi Lu (The Record of Lacquer Decoration): “Shell inlay, or luotian, is the art of meticulously assembling various patterns, such as dots, strokes, and lines, with precision comparable to painting. The shell pieces are cut and placed according to their colors, producing a radiant and captivating effect.”
螺钿镶嵌是一种在传统中式家具中广受欢迎的装饰技艺，在古籍中被称为“螺钿”、“螺填”或“仙丹”。它被视为中国传统艺术中的独特瑰宝。在明代，黄成在其著作《髹饰录》中这样描述螺钿工艺：“螺钿，即将点、画、线等花纹，像绘画一样细致地排列组合。根据贝壳的颜色裁切镶嵌，光彩夺目，美不胜收。”
This craft involves processing shells, such as those of mollusks, into thin sheets, carving them into patterns of flowers, figures, birds, or animals, and embedding them onto the surfaces of lacquerware or wooden objects. The shell pieces are then fitted into pre-carved grooves, coated with a layer of lacquer, and polished to reveal the vibrant colors of the inlaid shells. The result is a dazzling piece of art with a radiant finish.
这种工艺包括将软体动物的贝壳加工成薄片，雕刻成花卉、人物、鸟兽等图案，再镶嵌到漆器或木制品表面。贝壳片被嵌入预先雕刻好的凹槽中，涂上一层漆，经过打磨后，显现出贝壳镶嵌的绚丽色彩。最终呈现的是一件光彩夺目的艺术品。
The history of shell inlay dates back as early as the Western Zhou Dynasty. But why did ancient craftsmen choose shells as decorative materials?
螺钿工艺的历史可追溯至西周时期。那么，为什么古代工匠会选择贝壳作为装饰材料呢？
The answer lies in the use of shells as currency in early China. Many Chinese characters associated with wealth, such as “财” (wealth), “购” (purchase), “货” (goods), and “资” (resources), incorporate the radical “贝” (shell). Embedding shells—once a symbol of monetary value—into objects symbolized status and affluence.
答案与贝壳在中国早期作为货币的使用密切相关。在许多与财富相关的汉字中，如“财”（财富）、“购”（购买）、“货”（货物）和“资”（资源），都包含“贝”这一部首。将贝壳——曾经象征货币价值的物品——镶嵌在器物上，象征着地位与财富。
After the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, as metal currencies replaced shell money, shells lost their role as a standard of value. Instead, the art of shell inlay evolved into a pure pursuit of beauty, showcasing the artistry and cultural refinement of ancient Chinese craftsmanship.
在商周之后，随着金属货币取代了贝壳货币，贝壳失去了其作为价值标准的功能。取而代之的是，螺钿镶嵌艺术发展成为对美的纯粹追求，展现了古代中国工艺的艺术性和文化品位。