Foshan paper-cutting is said to have originated from the Central Plains, and is developed in conjunction with local folk customs, handicrafts and commerce. By the Qing Dynasty, it had gradually become a popular trend, with the local organizations.
In 2006, it was selected into the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Foshan paper-cutting is composed of four categories: pure color paper cutting, lining paper cutting, writing paper cutting and copper paper cutting. According to the different materials, it can be divided into nine types: pure color materials, paper lining materials, copper lining materials, dyeing materials, woodcut printing materials, copper writing materials, silver writing materials, paper writing materials, and copper materials. The paper-cutting techniques are divided into two categories: cutting and carving. The cutting is mostly in free style, with two or three pieces at a time. The gift flowers, lanterns, candlestick flowers, incense flowers and cake flowers are made in this way. The carving, with 20-30 pieces each time, and 50-100 pieces each time for rough pattern, is available for mass reproduction. The cutters in Foshan paper-cutting vary in size and width from 3mm to 1mm. There are more than ten pieces for one set. The cutters are held just like a brush during the operation to cut vertically. The lines are connected continuously, forming like a net.
Foshan paper-cutting is composed of four categories: pure color paper cutting, lining paper cutting, writing paper cutting and copper paper cutting. According to the different materials, it can be divided into nine types: pure color materials, paper lining materials, copper lining materials, dyeing materials, woodcut printing materials, copper writing materials, silver writing materials, paper writing materials, and copper materials. The paper-cutting techniques are divided into two categories: cutting and carving. The cutting is mostly in free style, with two or three pieces at a time. The gift flowers, lanterns, candlestick flowers, incense flowers and cake flowers are made in this way. The carving, with 20-30 pieces each time, and 50-100 pieces each time for rough pattern, is available for mass reproduction. The cutters in Foshan paper-cutting vary in size and width from 3mm to 1mm. There are more than ten pieces for one set. The cutters are held just like a brush during the operation to cut vertically. The lines are connected continuously, forming like a net.
The traditional Foshan paper-cutting chooses its content and form based on social sentiment and public opinion. The eternal themes include the festive auspiciousness, exorcism, longevity, and so on. They are extremely popular among the people, with the enduring popularity. Corresponding to this theme, Foshan paper-cutting is distinguished by the brilliant copper foil and bright colored paper, forming a unique local style, and also creating the unique forms of expression such as paper-cutting with copper chisel.
