Liu Yu and his mother Xing Lanxian are from the last generations of "fire sculptors" in China. The duo performs the art of spun glass in south-east Beijing in a building that houses many artisans.

Liu Yu is not just any spun glass artisan. This 40 year old Beijing local is one of the last four heirs of this traditional art, and 600 year old art originally from Beijing. He is also the seventh generation "fire sculptors" in China. He learned his profession from his mother Xing Lanxian for five years. She isn't just any artisan herself as she received the official title of "Master" in 2005.

At first glance, these items of spun glass, or "liaoqi" in Chinese, look like simple glass to the novice, or even plastic for the most malicious, but it isn't. According to Liu Yu, "The glass is made from sand. The liaoqi are a mixture of 57% of silicon dioxide or silica and 43% of metals."

The colors of spun glass that come in stem-form vary depending on the metals used. Gold will give the raw material shades of pink or red, silver will give it shades of jade, and copper will give it shades of blue. Do not confuse liaoqi with liuli, which could be translated by "glass coating". "Liaoqi are unlike the liuli, they are made entirely by hand and not mechanically," says the craftsman.

For in this room of a dozen square meters, the two torches are the only modern instruments available. To do his art, a giant pair of tweezers and a pair of scissors is enough. Of course, don't forget about the craftsman's most essential tools, his hands. The mother and son duo have some of the most exquisite skills and their hands are capable of withstanding any challenge. The very first is resisting the high temperature flames used to melt spun glass. "The smallest torch heats up to 900 ° C, and the larger one up to 1200 ° C. We use one or the other depending on the size of the objects we make" he adds.

An apparent ease

The thought of wearing protective gloves is out of question. Some of the object need an incredible precision and leave no room for  luck. There is no secret to doing this job, it takes talent. "I studied fine arts for several years before starting to learn with my mother. You must first master drawing and sculpting before starting," he says while making a rose.

A simple rod of spun glass is heated to at least 470 ° C. The material begins to melt, swell and turn red. Using a large claw, the incandescent ball is carved and then cut with scissors. The petals are added one by one from another melted stem. A total of 25 minutes are necessary to produce the flower.

At first glance, the technique seems disconcertingly easy, but that is only in appearance. "If we make one mistake, we must still complete the piece in one try. Once cooled, you cannot heat it up again, otherwise it breaks". With a boundless admiration, Liu Yu presents the masterpiece of his mother, a dragon of a few centimeters carved in minute detail and which took no less than two hours to make. "She is the only one in China to be able to make this dragon.

Adapting to the market

« Mi madre aprendió de su profesor, pero evidentemente le superó en conocimientos. A mí mismo me harían falta unos 10 años para alcanzar su grado de ingeniosidad », nos asegura. El padre de Liu Yu también recibe su parte de elogios. « Es el único en todo el país capaz de fabricar este pequeño amuleto de aproximadamente 5 centímetros », dice mientras nos muestra la referida prenda.

"My mother has learned from her teacher, but we can see that the student has far exceeded the master. I will perhaps take 10 years before I reach my mother's level of ingenuity," he says. Liu Yu's father is also entitled to his share of praise. "He is the only one in the country able to produce this 5 centimeter lucky cabbage," he assures us.

Despite his father's talent, only his mother deserves the title of "Master". If she and her husband belong to the same generation of "fire sculptors", the appellation is reserved to a minority. "My father only knows how to make lucky cabbages; my mother knows how to make everything. Her title was given by the government. Without the certificate, you are only ‘specialist'," he insists.

But like any craftsmanship, the tradition of "fire sculpting" is dwindling. Younger generations are less and less interested in it. And spun glass objects must be made into other objects to attract buyers. "We mostly sell necklaces because we have to adapt to the market. Even if the technique is excellent, nobody will buy a dragon like this," he laments. "That's life" he concludes.

Practical Information:
Workshop-boutique Liu Yu and Xing Lanxian: Open daily from 9AM to 5PM.
12 Guangming Lu, Room 21, Chongwen district (in the Jingcheng Baigong building). 崇文区明光路乙12号215室. Tel: 138.10.52.70.08 (Liu Yu speaks a little English). Website: http://hi.baidu.com/baigongfangliaoqi 
Cost of goods spun glass: 50 to 200RMB

Text: Aurélie Palancher
Photos: Wang Zhuo
April 2008