Ivory Veil Ntho ea Mokhabiso by Xiaoge Zang

Ivory Veil Ntho ea Mokhabiso by Xiaoge Zang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award in Moralo wa Dihlahiswa tsa Lapeng Competition Category.

BoronseDihlahiswa tsa Lapeng· 2026

Ivory Veil Ntho ea Mokhabiso

by Xiaoge Zang

Client: BeiHang University

Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award Winner in Dihlahiswa tsa Lapeng Category

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Colors

The Design

About Ivory Veil Ntho ea Mokhabiso

Ivory Veil ke ntho ea mokhabiso e entsoeng ka koporo le lacquer ea tlhaho. Sebopeho sa eona se hopotsa manaka a tlou a betliloeng, empa ha ho na thepa ea phoofolo e sebelisitsoeng. Bokahare ba koporo bo bopjoa, bo lokisetsoa ebe bo koahetsoa ka boemo bo ka bang mekhahlelo e 150 e mesesane ea lacquer ea tlhaho. Ha e se e omme, bokantle bo betloa ka mekhabiso ea leeba le lipalesa tsa peony ebe bo pholishoa ho fihlela bo boreleli. Ntho ena e lekana lisenthimithara tse 71 ka bolelele, lisenthimithara tse 23 ka bophara le lisenthimithara tse 38 ka bophahamo. Ivory Veil e sebelisa mosebetsi oa matsoho oa setso oa China o kotsing ea ho lahleha, 'me e fana ka mokhoa o mong o tšehetsang tikoloho o tšehetsang tšireletso ea liphoofolo tsa naha.

The Recognition

About the Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award

Ivory Veil Ntho ea Mokhabiso ke mohapi oa Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award, kananelo e hlomphehang haholo e fuoang meralo e ikhethang e tsejoang ka boqapi, bohlale ba ho qapa le bohlale. Bahapi ba Boronse ke lintho tse nang le bokhoni ka ho felletseng le boqapi bo hlollang tse tiisang boiphihlelo bo bongata, mohopolo le bokhoni ba ho iphumana ba baqapi ba tsona. Ivory Veil Ntho ea Mokhabiso e lebelletsoe ho ba ntho e hlomphuoang haholo, e ratoang le e ratehang, e nang le boprofeshenale bo bonahalang le mehopolo e mecha. Moralo ona o hapileng Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award o kenyelletsa mekhoa e metle ka ho fetesisa bonong, mahlaleng, moralong le theknolojing mme o hlahella ka ho tsepamisa maikutlo lintlheng tse nyenyane. Ivory Veil Ntho ea Mokhabiso e kutloisisa litlhoko hantle, e ama litakatso, e hapa maikutlo mme e tsosa takatso ea ho tseba.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This is a display item made of natural lacquer crafted using ancient Chinese techniques and shaped like ivory. It is not made of real ivory, but rather a combination of copper and lacquer materials that recreate the appearance of ivory. The craftsmanship involved is complex, and even in China, it faces the risk of being lost. Its texture is close to real ivory, and the patterns also adopt traditional Chinese artistic forms.
Dimensions & Packaging: Its length is 71 centimeters, width is 23 centimeters, and height is 38 centimeters.
Tags: Traditional Chinese Culture, Carved Lacquerware, Sculpture, Decorative Object, Intangible Cultural Heritage, Artwork, Ivory Form, Wildlife Protection
Production Technology: First, the lacquer collected from the tree is prepared. Then, the copper material is shaped into an ivory-like form, and a layer of primer is applied to the prepared copper surface. After the primer dries, multiple layers of natural lacquer are applied, ensuring each layer is smooth and accumulating to a thickness of about 150 layers. Once the lacquer layers are dry, tools are used to carve on the lacquer surface. Finally, the surface of the workpiece is polished to ensure smoothness.
Design Challenge: Lacquer trees are found deep in the mountains, and only a few drops of sap can be collected from each tree. Most people are allergic to lacquer, making the collection process extremely challenging. Very few people know how to make lacquer, and there are almost no reference books available. The lacquer will not cause allergy until it is completely dry. However, lacquer dries very slowly, requiring more than a year from the time of sap collection to the completion of the artwork.
Research: This is applied material and craft research. The objective was to recreate the beauty of ivory without using animal material. The method combined visual study, material comparison and making tests. Research tools included literature review, sketching, carving and surface-finishing trials. Prototype experiments examined form, texture and visual effect. The result showed carved lacquer could achieve an ivory-like elegance ethically. The project shows how traditional craft can support wildlife protection and inspire sustainable design.
Inspiration: To protect wildlife, we reject the use of real ivory. Yet ivory has long been admired for its artistic beauty, which inspired this project to recreate that elegance through a sustainable alternative. Chinese carved lacquer, made from natural lacquer resin, can be shaped freely and developed with a texture and visual softness close to ivory. This led to a carved lacquer object that echoes the form and refinement of ivory without using animal material.
Project Duration: Launched in Beijing in February 2023, and completed in May 2024.
Operation Flow: The object is meant to be viewed closely and appreciated from different angles. As the viewer lifts or turns it gently, the carved dove and peony motifs, layered lacquer surface, and ivory-like texture become more visible. The interaction is quiet and reflective rather than mechanical. It performs better by combining symbolic imagery, rich detail, and a smooth tactile quality, creating a deeper visual and emotional experience.
Team Members: Huanxi Wang
Yutong Wang
Ruoxuan Gao
Image Credits: Image #1: Creator Xiaoge Zang, White Carved Lacquer Artwork, 2024.
Image #2: CreatorXiaoge Zang , White Carved Lacquer Artwork, 2024.
Image #3: CreatorYutong Wang , White Carved Lacquer Artwork, 2024.
Image #4: Creator Huanxi Wang, White Carved Lacquer Artwork, 2024.
Image #5: CreatorYutong Wang, White Carved Lacquer Artwork, 2024.
Video Credits: Video Creator Xiaoge Zang ,White Carved Lacquer Artwork, 2024.