About 20 km east of Thai Binh City, Dong Xam silver carving village always has a characteristic sound of carving. The result of those sounds are many exquisitely patterned products created by the skillful hands of artisans here.
Silver engraving requires perseverance, patience and attention to every detail of the artist. Therefore, the workers are always patient, diligent, and meticulously carve and engrave each decorative pattern from rudimentary tools such as awls, nails, hammers... Each person has a part to do, the one who creates the shape, the one who creates the shape. floral strokes.
With silver carving, carving is the step that requires the most concentration, requiring the artist to be extremely skillful, not allowing himself to make even a small mistake, otherwise, the entire product will be considered defective. give up, have to start over.
A highly demanding job, but in the past many people could not make a living with the job because of limited income. Many generations, although they love their job and want to keep it, still have to leave because they are entangled in food, clothes, and money. As time passes, silver-engraved products become closer to everyday life, from souvenirs such as silver necklaces, bronze paintings... to more sophisticated and valuable products such as incense burners with worth several hundred million. That richness has expanded the customer base.
Gradually, the silver carving profession has helped people here improve their lives. Today, the silver carving profession is still circulating and developing more and more widely. Dong Xam's products today revolve around copper materials, bright silver plating, very good-looking and affordable.
Meritorious artisan Nguyen Van Hoan (Van Hanh village, Le Loi commune, Kien Xuong district), said: "We were born and raised in this craft village, our hands are used to working, hearing the sound of carving and chiseling. already familiar with the ears. Now, if one day I stop, I will miss it very much. From rough copper sheets, after being shaped into bowls, teapots, bowls, knife handles... they are placed on molds to be carved. The motifs are sometimes engraved and embossed, sometimes simple, delicate, gentle, sometimes elaborate and detailed.
Jewelry includes many types such as: necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, bracelets, bracelets, brooches, rings, crosses... made of silver. Worship items include tops, cauldrons, incense burners, fruit plates, candlesticks, thrones, worship hats, dragon unicorns, etc.
Later, the materials used to make the products also became richer. They were not simply made from silver or copper, but many handicrafts such as combs, chopsticks, cups, bowls, etc. were also combined with other materials. such as ivory, ceramic, porcelain, glass, and only use copper and silver as decorative motifs, creating highlights for the product.
Every year, on the 1st - 5th day of the 4th lunar month, this place holds a huge festival to welcome tourists from all over. People, families in the village and silver engravers everywhere will bring silver engraved products to display for sale.
Besides, on this day, people also organize procession ceremonies, lavish sacrifices, and various folk games. This is an opportunity to commemorate the contributions of silver carving master Nguyen Kim Lau of Dong Xam workers.