Traditional Chinese metal arts and crafts have been perfected throughout the centuries and have contributed many techniques and skills used in modern day metal arts throughout the world. 

Metal art in China can be traced back to the Shang Dynasty (1600-1100BC) when metal started to be used for small statues and figurines.

Each province within China offers different techniques and styles of metal art during different dynasties. Metal art spread quickly across China and was used for practical objects and as decorations.

Bronze started to be used as art during the late Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). One of the first sculptures to be created was “horse stepping on swallow” over two thousand years ago. It was found in a tomb in the Gansu Province. It is acclaimed worldwide as being highly accurate in proportion and detail for the era in which it was created. The detailed facial expressions of both the horse and swallow convey the exaggerated techniques used in early metal statues.

Themes for sculptures and other metal art work changed from dynasty to dynasty. Within the early dynasties of China, metal art focused on people and animals and were often placed in the tombs of wealthy people associated with a high status to represent their lives. This ritual gradually disappeared within the Song Dynasty (960-1279).  .

During the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) Dynasties, metal art was used a lot more for decoration within homes and around cities. Religion was a common focus and Buddhist statues from this period can be found throughout China. Metal animal sculptures are abundant throughout China with dragons and the twelve New Year symbols being popular motifs. Large statues began to emerge in towns and cities commemorating festivals and historical figures. 

Metal art decreased drastically in the period following the end of the Qing Dynasty. Many metal statues were destroyed and metal craftsmen were encouraged to abandon their profession. Metal art was neglected for many years after this and a lot of the techniques and skills have perished along with the deceased skilled craftsmen.

It wasn’t until the founding of the People’s Republic of China (1949) that metal art started to flourish again. Students were sent overseas to learn western skills and combine them with traditional Chinese methods. New themes linked to the ever-changing lifestyle and ideologies of today can be seen in recent metal sculptures.

New forms of metal art are emerging at a rapid pace in China. The combination of western and Chinese skills allows artisans the freedom and variety to create the imaginative pieces being produced today. The government encourages the younger generation to embrace techniques taught by older craftsmen to continue on producing different modern variations of traditional metal art.