| Description |
Silver is closely associated with and has an important meaning in the lives of the Red Yao people. The Silver Carving profession of the Red Yao people has existed for a long time, containing many unique values of the ethnic group. In the past, Silver Carving was mainly used to create jewelry, decorative accessories on traditional Yao clothing, or silver coins. They only used pure silver to preserve the prestige of their traditional profession.
Silver Carving also requires meticulousness, meticulousness as well as experience passed down through many generations. From the stages of choosing silver to heating silver, all are performed by experienced people. The carving stage is also done entirely by hand. Using rudimentary tools and manual techniques, craftsmen skillfully crafted and engraved silver products to create sophisticated patterns and sharp shapes: bracelets, buttons, rings, pendants, silver bells... Commonly used patterns: sunken patterns, raised patterns, butterfly patterns, dragons, melon seeds, swirls on the top of the head, willow leaves, engraved names... According to traditional experience, after carving, the Yao people will use a type of forest tree to coat the silver to create a bright and perfect whiteness for the product. The Yao people also create many product models with innovative patterns and unique designs to sell to tourists.
The Silver Carving profession of the Red Yao people demonstrates the patience, meticulousness, dexterity, sophisticated and skillful techniques of the craftsmen, reflecting the soul, intelligence and aesthetics of the Red Yao people in Sa Pa - Lao Cai. The Silver Carving profession is maintained to serve the life, beliefs, religions as well as to create unique products for tourists. |
