Carved Cork Paintings of Traditional Chinese Gardens

Two traditional Chinese cork paintings in Art Deco-style red frames. The cork paintings depict a traditional Chinese garden scene with a pavilion shrubs trees and herons.

The art of cork carving stems from the early 20th century and the artists use the bark of cork oaks from Europe to create them. The glazed casing surrounding these wonderful scenes is made from paper mache. Considered as one of the three art treasures of Fuzhou these cork carvings or cork paintings were and still are made by skilled Chinese artisans in factories. But not just anyone gets into those factories many of the artists are apprentices and from a young age learn the skills needed over decades enabling them to create these beautiful pieces of art.