Exquisite art coaxed out of its shell

Gem of an idea

"I made innovations to shell-carving techniques and added precious gems, gold and jade to the shell carvings. That's why many people bought my works," Jin says.

With the development of technology, shell carvings have become more delicate and exquisite.

"In ancient times, a craftsman could probably only make two or three pieces of shell carvings in a lifetime due to the limitations of the tools," says Jin.

Now, with the help of tools such as power rotary cutters and wheels, Jin can make shell art of less than 1 centimeter.

His two shell ships featuring Chinese architecture took two years to finish and have won many awards. A 1-cm shell lantern placed on one ship took him a day to produce by hand.

"Machines can't make the same circular lantern as mine. That's the charm of work made by craftsmen," he says proudly.

Jin is now an inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of shell carving. He has also inherited the same problem that many other traditional craftsmen now face — how to protect and pass on his skills to the younger generation.

This year, he cooperated with Dalian Art College to set up a training session for young students interested in the craft.

"The problem is that few young people can sit down for hours doing the same thing. It's kind of boring for them at a time when their lives are bombarded by online entertainment," he says.

Jin's son Jin Ji has learned shell carving from his father for decades. "The craft has successfully passed down in our family. My son also plans to enter into this course," says Jin Ji, whose son is a college student.

Jin Ji says his father seems to have no other interest other than shell carvings. But once the gray-haired artist begins working, he turns into a child.

"My father loves his career and it also makes him happy and young in his thoughts," says Jin Ji.

Zhang Xiaomin contributed to this story.