1982, archaeologists excavated the root carving work exorcism more than 2300 years ago in Mashan/kloc-0 Chu Tomb in Jiangling, Hubei Province. According to the natural shape of the root of the tree, a tomb beast with four legs rushing forward was carved. In addition, four legs were carved into bamboo joints, and "exorcism" is the earliest archaeological discovery so far.
There were many original craftsmen in ancient China. However, during the Republic of China, most of the division of labor artists changed jobs or jumped ship, and the root carving skills almost disappeared. However, in the late 1970s, people began to pay attention to root carving again, thinking that this traditional skill should not disappear, so many artists engaged in root carving art emerged.
Master Long of Panwu Village in Guangxi is a very famous local root carving artist. He organized more than 10 craftsmen, and it took him six months to carve the root carving of 15 meter of "Oriental Lion". There were no lions in China in history, but after the opening of the Silk Road, many things entered China through the western regions.
In the first year of Zhanghe River in the Eastern Han Dynasty (87), Arcelous I sent a caravan to present the lion as a gift to Emperor Zhangdi of the Han Dynasty. In addition, it is recorded in San Ji, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty: "Wuyiguo traveled 15,300 Li in Chang 'an and gave birth to a lion and rhinoceros. "
Lions are mighty and domineering, and Chinese people are pleasing to the eye. During the reign of Emperor Taizong, he also liked strong and domineering lions very much. Lions thus became auspicious beasts in the hearts of ancient people in China, so sculptures about lions appeared, and many people had stone statues of lions at their doorsteps.
Master Long also carved the root carving of "Oriental Lion" with 30 tons of refined gold nanmu, and the material and production cost was 2 million yuan. It can be seen that Master Long has invested heavily in the "Oriental Lion", and the "Oriental Lion" is also very domineering. After it came out, it attracted many people.
A wealthy businessman offered 3 million yuan to buy Master Long's "Oriental Lion", but Master Long disagreed. He thinks this root carving art can be worth 6.5438+million yuan. Master Long also said that this price will not change again, but no one is willing to bid 654.38+million yuan for the "Oriental Lion".
Gradually, the "Oriental Lion" was put aside by Master Long, and it also fell to dust. As for whether this root carving can still be sold, it is unknown, but Master Long still hasn't thought about changing the price. Perhaps this "Oriental Lion" is also waiting for a "fate".