I would like information on the history of what I believe to be a
Chinese art of carving cork, and info on how it's done.  My searches
so far have produced how to buy them, info on Chinese art, or related
to Cork, Ireland.

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Request for Question Clarification by denco-ga on 03 Feb 2005 20:50 PST

Howdy moksha-ga,

Is this the type of Chinese cork carving that you want to know more about?

http://www.alwaysaffordablegifts.com/oriental-gifts/oriental-pics/cork-23552b.jpg

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

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Clarification of Question by moksha-ga on 04 Feb 2005 22:36 PST

Yes.  I'd seen that example, and others on the web.  But it's the rest
I would like to know about- when, where, why, how, etc.  Thanks.

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Clarification of Question by moksha-ga on 15 Feb 2005 20:34 PST

Hello,  Am I to believe that there is nothing more on this art form
available other than a photo of modern work available for sale?  Or
are you still researching?  Thanks.

Cork carving is associated with Fuzhou in Fujian province in south-east China.
The cork sculpture may not be an "ancient art", as claimed on some websites.

This is the best information I could find:

"Fuzhou cork patchwork comes out at the beginning of this century and
origins West Park village, Eastern suburbs of Fuzhou. It's said that
someone brings "Picture in cork" from German in 1913 . . . the local
folk artists . . . are deeply enlightened, so . . . they use ??? of
the cork tree as main material . . . . utilize all kinds of
traditional carving skills and methods, . . . and make the structure
possess distinctively traditional style."
From "Art Fuzhou"
http://www.fzart.com/english/ywfzrmh.htm

"The Cork Picture (Ruanmu Hua)
This is an art of making pictures with the cork bark of trees like the
oriental oak. The cork is cut, carved and arranged into pictures. The
cork picture, originated in 1900, is now a product of the Fuzhou Arts
and Pictures Factory."
http://www.chinaetravel.com/china/pburntp.html

This doesn't give much detail about "how it's done", but I hope you
find it interesting  - Leli