Drill for carving jade
These steel drills with blunt points (zhuangding or dingzi
in Chinese), flat heads (tuozi), or curving heads (wazi) are used for high relief carving, undercutting, and fine shaping of small jade works. The craftsman holds the jade in one hand against the drill, which is mounted on a spinning shaft. He or she rotates the shaft using foot treadles, while continuously applying abrasives, usually sand mixed with water, to the tip of the drill, which cuts the jade.
Artwork Details
- 撞釘
- Title: Drill for carving jade
- Date: 20th century
- Culture: China
- Medium: Steel
- Dimensions: L. 5 11/16 in. (14.4 cm); Diam. 1/4 in. (0.6 cm)
- Classification: Metalwork
- Credit Line: Gift of Joan Hartman-Goldsmith, 1981
- Object Number: 1981.296.15
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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20th century
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20th century
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