Beihai Shell Mosaic Craft
Provincial ICHOrigin
Beihai shell craft emerged in the 1950s when local artisans began using the abundant shell resources from Weizhou Island and the Beibu Gulf coast.
The art form
Craftspeople select natural shells, then clean, cut, polish, dye, and inlay them through more than ten steps to produce works depicting birds, landscapes, and figures.
Cultural significance
Shell mosaic craft links the Beibu Gulf's marine resources with folk artistry, preserving the memory of Beihai's distinct ocean culture.