Chinese calligraphy hairpin, ebony wood, handmade hairpin with natural Chinese lacquer

Handmade hairpin with natural Chinese lacquer. Traditional craftsmanship made with love. 

Materials: 

• Hairpin Base: bronze, ebony wood
• Surface coating: Natural lacquer

Measurements:

• Disc diameter: 10cm
• Hairpin length: around 18cm

Please allow up to 30 days for crafting and shipping, as the pendant is 100% handmade by the artisan. Each piece could vary slightly. Each hairpin takes at least 3 months to make. 

This earring set is perfect as an accessory for hanfu attire or any setting where you want to showcase a modern Chinese style.

Crafted from the ebony wood, this Calligraphy Hairpin is a wearable piece of art, perfect for adding a touch of elegance and tradition to your hairstyle. The bold yellow disc is adorned with expressive black calligraphy, its strokes resonating with the artistry of ink on paper, symbolizing harmony and artistic expression.

This hairpin is not just an accessory; it's a statement piece that speaks to those who value the beauty of written language and the serene wisdom it conveys. Its smooth ebony stick slides easily into your hair, securing your style with grace and holding the essence of tranquility.

Care instruction: do not immerse in water for a long time. Keep in a cool and dry place. Water spray for hair is ok. 

The Chinese lacquerware technique:

The "大漆" (dà qī) technique, also known as "Chinese lacquerware," is a traditional artistic practice deeply rooted in Chinese culture. It involves the meticulous application of sap extracted from the lacquer tree, known for its durability and glossy finish. Dating back thousands of years, this technique has been employed to create exquisite objects ranging from furniture and utensils to decorative items and artworks.

Artisans skilled in the "大漆" technique carefully layer the lacquer onto various base surfaces, often wood, bamboo, or metal, to produce stunning visual effects. The process typically involves several stages of coating, drying, and polishing, sometimes interspersed with intricate designs or inlaid materials like mother-of-pearl, gold leaf, or colored pigments.

China Lacquer, the resin of a family of trees found throughout southern China—as well as in Southeast Asia, Korea, and Japan—is an amazing material. When exposed to oxygen and humidity, lacquer hardens or polymerizes, becoming a natural plastic and an ideal protective covering for screens, trays, and other implements. It can keep for thousands of years.

Since ancient times, natural or raw earth lacquer from the Sumac Tree has been used as medicine. It is a "pure natural" product. The lacquer collection methods and process are extremely complex, collectors have to cut the mountain barks carefully in the middle of night and change the shell clam (which is used to collect the lacquer) every few seconds. Natural Lacquer is extremely expensive — A single lacquer tree can only cut 10 kg of raw lacquer in its life cycle; 3000 lacquer trees can only collect 1 kg of lacquer!

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, "大漆" holds profound cultural significance in Chinese tradition. It symbolizes resilience, as the lacquer itself is derived from a tree that thrives despite harsh conditions. Additionally, the meticulous craftsmanship required embodies the virtues of patience, precision, and reverence for nature—a reflection of traditional Chinese values.