Turtle-Shell Stone Carvings
Turtle-shell stone carving is a local specialty produced in Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area. Using mottled stone unearthed from the mountain as raw material, it is hand-carved and engraved. Varieties include stone turtles, oxen, horses, dragons, leopards, bears, dogs, inkstones, and incense burners. The craftsmanship is advanced and exquisite, with vivid shapes — whether depicting animals or...
This article has been compiled from historical materials on 'Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network' (33519.com · Specialty Foods / Cuisine / Customs section). Prices, business hours, administrative divisions, and statistical data mentioned in the text may already be outdated. Before traveling, please refer to the latest announcements from merchants, scenic areas, and local competent authorities; the parts involving folk legends and folk customs are local historical and cultural anecdotes, provided for cultural reference.
Tortoise-shell stone carving is a local specialty produced in the Tianzi Mountain scenic area. It uses the flower-and-hemp colored stone unearthed on the mountain as raw material and is carved and sculpted by hand. Varieties of stone carvings include stone turtles, stone oxen, stone horses, stone dragons, stone leopards, stone bears, stone dogs, stone inkstones, stone censers, and so on. Tortoise-shell stone carving has advanced techniques and exquisite artistry, with vivid shapes. Whether depicting animals or daily utensils, they are lifelike and true to life. They are deeply loved by tourists. As national handicrafts, they are sold abroad and praised by international friends. When tourists come sightseeing at Tianzi Mountain, they can buy tortoise-shell stone handicrafts in all hotels and shops.
Tortoise-shell stone series products
The scientific name of tortoise-shell stone is "Huayingshan multi-walled coral stone." Its pattern is a polygonal compound form, hexagonal, closely resembling tortoise shell, with a diagonal length of 8-10 mm, and its internal structure has single skeletons closely connected, appearing web-like. This fossil is a typical warm-water biological community. As early as before the Permian period, through seawater deposition and crustal changes, it formed coral fossils. The Sangzhi County Ethnic Craft Factory uses tortoise-shell stone as raw material to produce stone inkstones, tea sets, and decorative series products such as giraffes. Their shapes are beautiful and the craftsmanship exquisite, so realistic as to confuse the false with the true. They are not only welcomed when sold on the market, but also exported to Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions, and are deeply loved by customers. Another excellent raw material for processing handicrafts, along with tortoise-shell stone, is "sea lily fossil." According to scientists' identification, it belongs to the echinoderm phylum, grew before the Permian period, and belongs to groups such as sea lilies and sea urchins. It consists of three parts: root, stem, and crown, appearing as triangular stars, round holes, oval shapes, and worm-like bodies with clear lines and distinct patterns. Censers, cloud tripods, and the like made from this fossil are elegant and distinctive, with an antique flavor.
Some of the images above are from the internet, and their sources are unknown. Authors, please contact this website.