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Ivory Veil Objék Dékoratif by Xiaoge Zang

Ivory Veil Objék Dékoratif by Xiaoge Zang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Perunggu in Parabot Imah Competition Category.


PerungguParabot Imah· 2026

Ivory Veil Objék Dékoratif

by Xiaoge Zang

Client: BeiHang University

A' Design Award Perunggu Winner in Parabot Imah Category

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Verified Award Winner

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Colors

The Design

About Ivory Veil Objék Dékoratif

Ivory Veil nyaéta hiji objék dékoratif anu didamel tina tambaga sareng lak alami. Wangunna ngingetkeun kana gading anu diukir, tapi teu aya bahan tina sasatoan anu dianggo. Inti tambaga dibentuk, dilapis dasar, teras dilapis ku kirang langkung 150 lapisan ipis lak alami. Saparantos garing, permukaanana diukir ku motif japati sareng kembang peoni teras dipoles dugi ka lemes. Objék ieu ukuranana 71 séntiméter panjangna, 23 séntiméter rubakna, sareng 38 séntiméter luhurna. Ivory Veil ngalarapkeun karajinan tradisional Tiongkok anu kaancam leungit, sarta nawiskeun alternatif anu lestari pikeun ngadukung panyalindungan sasatoan liar.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Perunggu

Ivory Veil Objék Dékoratif mangrupa juara A' Design Award Perunggu, pangakuan anu pohara bergengsi anu dipasihkeun ka desain unggul anu dicirikeun ku kréativitas, kacerdikan jeung kawaspadaan. Para juara Perunggu téh artéfak anu lobaan kaahlian jeung kréatif pisan anu ngabuktikeun pangalaman anu lega, imajinasi jeung kacerdasan para désainerna. Ivory Veil Objék Dékoratif diharepkeun jadi objék anu dihargaan, dikagumi jeung dipikanyaah anu profésional jeung inovatif. Desain juara A' Design Award Perunggu ieu ngalebetkeun prakték pangalusna dina seni, élmu, desain jeung téknologi, sarta unggul dina perhatian kana détail. Ivory Veil Objék Dékoratif minuhan kabutuhan kalayan éndah, nyentuh kahayang, nyenangkeun rasa, jeung narik rasa panasaran.

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.

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