Ivory Veil 裝飾擺件 by Xiaoge Zang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award 銅獎 in 家居用品設計 Competition Category.

銅家居用品· 2026

Ivory Veil 裝飾擺件

by Xiaoge Zang

Client: BeiHang University

A' Design Award 銅獎 Winner in 家居用品 Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #182160

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Ivory Veil 裝飾擺件

象牙紗係一件以紫銅同天然大漆製成嘅裝飾擺件。造型令人聯想起牙雕，但完全冇用任何動物材料。先塑造銅胎，打底之後再塗上大約150層薄薄嘅天然大漆。待漆層乾透後，喺表面雕刻白鴿同牡丹紋樣，再打磨至光滑。呢件擺件長71厘米、闊23厘米、高38厘米。象牙紗運用咗一門瀕臨失傳嘅中國傳統工藝，提供一個支持野生動物保護嘅可持續替代方案。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銅獎

Ivory Veil 裝飾擺件是 A' Design Award 銅獎得主，這是授予以創造力、獨創性和敏銳見長的傑出設計的極具聲望的認可。銅獎得主是技藝嫻熟、創意驚人的作品，印證了其設計師豐富的經驗、想像力與機智。預計Ivory Veil 裝飾擺件將成為一件備受推崇、令人欽佩且被珍愛的物品，兼具顯著的專業性與創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銅獎的設計融入藝術、科學、設計和技術領域的最佳實踐，並因注重細節而出類拔萃。Ivory Veil 裝飾擺件出色地滿足需求，觸動渴望，迷住情感，並吸引好奇心。

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.