An ancient craft makes a comeback

According to historical records, nearly every rich intellectual during those times owned a folding fan decorated with a kernel carving ornament.

Suzhou has since the Ming and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties been revered for its sophisticated kernel carving works. This is still the case today. In fact, every family in Xu Jingjian's village is engaged in producing intricate artworks from olive kernels.

Professional craftsmen in Suzhou only use a special olive kernel that grows in Guangdong province as it has an even color and is thick enough for complex works to be performed.

Only olive kernels with a shell thickness of over 5 millimeters are selected. Raw kernels will be left to dry for at least three years before they are used, or else artists run the risk of having cracks in the shell during the process of sculpting.

According to Xu Jingjian, the craft of kernel carving received a much-needed boost in 2008 when it was listed as the national intangible culture heritage.

Before that, only elderly craftsmen could be found making such delicate sculptures.