后來(lai)到了(le)唐朝(chao)中(zhong)葉,一(yi)天一(yi)老(lao)硯(yan)(yan)工(gong)(gong)路(lu)經端溪時(shi),看(kan)見有兩只仙鶴(he)(he)飛落溪水之(zhi)(zhi)中(zhong),久(jiu)而不起,于是心(xin)生疑竇,張網撈捕,但撈起的(de)卻是一(yi)塊石(shi)頭(tou)!不過,這塊石(shi)頭(tou)十分奇(qi)異,上有裂縫(feng)(feng),不時(shi)發出(chu)鶴(he)(he)鳴聲響,老(lao)硯(yan)(yan)工(gong)(gong)順著裂縫(feng)(feng)把奇(qi)石(shi)撬開,奇(qi)石(shi)竟一(yi)分為二,化作兩只硯(yan)(yan)臺,硯(yan)(yan)邊各有一(yi)只仙鶴(he)(he)佇立(li)在(zai)蒼松之(zhi)(zhi)上。消息傳開,硯(yan)(yan)工(gong)(gong)們紛(fen)紛(fen)仿制,或各展其藝,在(zai)硯(yan)(yan)臺上雕(diao)以各種圖案花紋……這大(da)概就(jiu)是端硯(yan)(yan)從實(shi)用品變為實(shi)用工(gong)(gong)藝品之(zhi)(zhi)始(shi)。 工(gong)(gong)藝特(te)點
端硯以(yi)石質(zhi)堅實(shi)、潤(run)滑、細(xi)膩、嬌嫩而馳名于世(shi),用端硯研墨不(bu)滯,發墨快,研出(chu)之(zhi)墨汁細(xi)滑,書寫(xie)流暢不(bu)損毫(hao),字跡顏色(se)經(jing)久(jiu)(jiu)不(bu)變,好(hao)的端硯,無論是酷暑,或是嚴冬,用手按其硯心(xin)(xin),硯心(xin)(xin)湛藍墨綠(lv),水氣久(jiu)(jiu)久(jiu)(jiu)不(bu)干,古人有"哈(ha)氣研墨"之(zhi)說。
端硯的制作過(guo)程較(jiao)為復雜,工序繁多。主要有采石(shi)、維料(liao)、制璞(pu)、雕(diao)刻、磨光、配盒等。
是制作端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)極其(qi)重(zhong)要的(de)(de)(de)一(yi)環,硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)有(you)(you)坑(keng)(keng)洞之(zhi)別,優劣之(zhi)分。名坑(keng)(keng)質優之(zhi)硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi),加上制硯(yan)(yan)高(gao)(gao)手制作,可以出產精品和(he)珍品。端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)名貴與否,最基(ji)本的(de)(de)(de)條件在(zai)于(yu)硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi),故采(cai)(cai)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)這道工(gong)序極為(wei)重(zhong)要,不(bu)可本末倒置。端(duan)(duan)溪(xi)名坑(keng)(keng),自古以來都(dou)以手工(gong)開采(cai)(cai),勞動強度大(da),采(cai)(cai)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)技術(shu)高(gao)(gao),故有(you)(you)"端(duan)(duan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)斤,價值千金(jin)"之(zhi)說。 因(yin)端(duan)(duan)溪(xi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)多不(bu)抗震(zhen),硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)開采(cai)(cai)至今仍以手工(gong)開采(cai)(cai)為(wei)主,不(bu)能以機械代替。在(zai)開采(cai)(cai)硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)中,如看(kan)不(bu)清石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)壁(bi),看(kan)不(bu)準石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)脈(mo),就(jiu)會(hui)浪費好硯(yan)(yan)材(cai)。特別是老坑(keng)(keng)、麻子坑(keng)(keng)和(he)坑(keng)(keng)仔巖,有(you)(you)時(shi)可能整(zheng)壁(bi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)都(dou)不(bu)成材(cai)(石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)工(gong)謂之(zhi)斷(duan)脈(mo),即斷(duan)層(ceng)(ceng)),就(jiu)得將它一(yi)塊塊地鑿下(xia)來,再根據石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)脈(mo)的(de)(de)(de)走向(xiang)尋找(zhao)(zhao)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)源。石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)脈(mo)(石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)層(ceng)(ceng))的(de)(de)(de)走向(xiang)一(yi)般是斜向(xiang)下(xia)方(fang),有(you)(you)時(shi)也會(hui)曲折蛇行(xing),甚至要挖到深層(ceng)(ceng)才能找(zhao)(zhao)到。因(yin)此采(cai)(cai)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)工(gong)必須掌握(wo)硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)生(sheng)長的(de)(de)(de)規(gui)律(lv),順其(qi)自然,按部就(jiu)班,從(cong)接縫處下(xia)鑿,盡量保住硯(yan)(yan)材(cai)的(de)(de)(de)完整(zheng)。
采石(shi)工(gong)(gong)人所使(shi)用的工(gong)(gong)具要(yao)因地制(zhi)宜,以鑿為主。這些(xie)刀具長短有異,大小不一,粗細不同,但每個石(shi)工(gong)(gong)必備三(san)四十把,每天工(gong)(gong)作(zuo)后都要(yao)修理或(huo)磨(mo)礪,所謂"工(gong)(gong)欲善其(qi)事,必先利其(qi)器"是(shi)也。
制(zhi)璞(pu)維料又稱選料制(zhi)璞(pu)。開(kai)采出來的(de)(de)硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)并不(bu)(bu)是(shi)全部都(dou)可(ke)(ke)以作(zuo)(zuo)硯(yan)(yan)材(cai),須(xu)(xu)經(jing)過(guo)篩選后,再將其分別等級(ji)。特(te)別好的(de)(de),純凈無瑕者為(wei)特(te)級(ji),稍次者為(wei)甲級(ji),再次者為(wei)乙級(ji)。將有(you)瑕疵的(de)(de),有(you)裂痕(hen)的(de)(de),或(huo)爛(lan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)、石(shi)(shi)(shi)皮、頂(ding)板底板……統(tong)統(tong)去(qu)(qu)掉,剩(sheng)下"石(shi)(shi)(shi)肉"。這個過(guo)程(cheng)首(shou)先要懂(dong)得(de)看(kan)(kan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)。憑(ping)實踐經(jing)驗(yan),內行的(de)(de)維料石(shi)(shi)(shi)工能(neng)夠(gou)"看(kan)(kan)穿石(shi)(shi)(shi)",可(ke)(ke)以預測到表層(ceng)看(kan)(kan)不(bu)(bu)到的(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)品(pin)花(hua)(hua)紋(wen),如硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)側面發(fa)現有(you)石(shi)(shi)(shi)眼般的(de)(de)綠點,或(huo)綠色(se)(se)的(de)(de)翡翠帶,那么鑿下去(qu)(qu)可(ke)(ke)能(neng)有(you)石(shi)(shi)(shi)眼出現;硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)兩側如果微呈白色(se)(se),或(huo)白色(se)(se)的(de)(de)外圍有(you)火捺包(bao)著,則可(ke)(ke)能(neng)隱藏魚(yu)腦凍或(huo)蕉葉白。硯(yan)(yan)工還要根據硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)天(tian)(tian)然(ran)形(xing)(xing)狀用錘或(huo)鑿制(zhi)成天(tian)(tian)然(ran)形(xing)(xing)、蛋(dan)形(xing)(xing)、長方(fang)形(xing)(xing)、方(fang)形(xing)(xing)、圓形(xing)(xing)、金鐘(zhong)形(xing)(xing)、蘭亭式(shi)、太史式(shi)……等硯(yan)(yan)形(xing)(xing)硯(yan)(yan)式(shi)的(de)(de)硯(yan)(yan)璞(pu)。制(zhi)璞(pu)者同樣(yang)必(bi)須(xu)(xu)懂(dong)得(de)看(kan)(kan)石(shi)(shi)(shi),因為(wei)要將硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)最好的(de)(de)地方(fang)留作(zuo)(zuo)墨(mo)(mo)堂(tang)。一方(fang)端硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)質的(de)(de)優劣都(dou)以墨(mo)(mo)堂(tang)之硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)作(zuo)(zuo)評價,鑒賞石(shi)(shi)(shi)品(pin)花(hua)(hua)紋(wen)亦放(fang)在(zai)墨(mo)(mo)堂(tang)之部分(石(shi)(shi)(shi)眼除外)。
設計(ji)的(de)(de)目的(de)(de)是將硯(yan)石中的(de)(de)瑕(xia)疵變(bian)成無瑕(xia),以達(da)到(dao)錦上添花的(de)(de)目的(de)(de),增加其藝術價值,硯(yan)的(de)(de)設計(ji)要(yao)(yao)(yao)求"因石構圖,因材施藝",除了(le)傳統硯(yan)形硯(yan)式外(wai),還要(yao)(yao)(yao)充分利用天(tian)然石皮,匯集文(wen)學(xue)、歷史、繪畫(hua)、書(shu)法(fa)、金石于一(yi)體,可(ke)以說是將硯(yan)升(sheng)華為一(yi)種(zhong)綜合性(xing)藝術品的(de)(de)重(zhong)要(yao)(yao)(yao)環節。2、開璞:硯(yan)石在礦坑開采后(hou),去掉"石皮",保留"石肉(rou)",然后(hou)按質分組的(de)(de)一(yi)道(dao)重(zhong)要(yao)(yao)(yao)的(de)(de)工序。
端硯(yan)的(de)(de)(de)雕(diao)(diao)(diao)刻(ke)(ke)(ke)(ke)是端硯(yan)制(zhi)作過程中極其重(zhong)要(yao)(yao)(yao)的(de)(de)(de)工序。要(yao)(yao)(yao)使一塊(kuai)天然樸實的(de)(de)(de)硯(yan)石,成(cheng)為一件精(jing)美的(de)(de)(de)工藝(yi)品,就需要(yao)(yao)(yao)創作設(she)計和雕(diao)(diao)(diao)刻(ke)(ke)(ke)(ke)的(de)(de)(de)過程。這(zhe)個過程處理(li)得當(dang)是錦上(shang)添花,處理(li)不當(dang)就會畫蛇添足甚至弄巧成(cheng)拙(zhuo)。故(gu)雕(diao)(diao)(diao)刻(ke)(ke)(ke)(ke)藝(yi)人要(yao)(yao)(yao)對硯(yan)璞因材(cai)施藝(yi),因石構(gou)圖,還要(yao)(yao)(yao)根據硯(yan)璞的(de)(de)(de)石質,去(qu)粗存精(jing),認(ren)真構(gou)思(si),并考慮(lv)題材(cai)、立意、構(gou)圖、形制(zhi)以(yi)及雕(diao)(diao)(diao)刻(ke)(ke)(ke)(ke)技法如刀(dao)法、刀(dao)路。雕(diao)(diao)(diao)刻(ke)(ke)(ke)(ke)端硯(yan)要(yao)(yao)(yao)線(xian)條清晰,玲瓏浮凸,一目(mu)了然。端硯(yan)雕(diao)(diao)(diao)刻(ke)(ke)(ke)(ke)主要(yao)(yao)(yao)有深刀(dao)(高深雕(diao)(diao)(diao))與淺(qian)刀(dao)(低浮雕(diao)(diao)(diao))雕(diao)(diao)(diao)刻(ke)(ke)(ke)(ke),還有細刻(ke)(ke)(ke)(ke)、線(xian)刻(ke)(ke)(ke)(ke),適當(dang)的(de)(de)(de)通雕(diao)(diao)(diao)(鏤空(kong))。
采用什么雕刻(ke)(ke)技法(fa)和(he)(he)刀(dao)(dao)法(fa),要(yao)視題材和(he)(he)硯形、硯式而(er)定(ding)。如要(yao)表現剛健豪放的(de)多采取以深刀(dao)(dao)雕刻(ke)(ke)為主,適(shi)當穿插淺刀(dao)(dao)雕刻(ke)(ke)和(he)(he)細(xi)刻(ke)(ke);要(yao)表現精致古樸、細(xi)膩(ni)含(han)蓄的(de),則(ze)(ze)以淺刀(dao)(dao)雕刻(ke)(ke)、線刻(ke)(ke)、細(xi)刻(ke)(ke)為主。總之,細(xi)刻(ke)(ke)和(he)(he)線刻(ke)(ke)均屬"工精藝(yi)巧"之"工精"部(bu)分。細(xi)刻(ke)(ke)要(yao)求雕刻(ke)(ke)精細(xi),準確,生動;線刻(ke)(ke)則(ze)(ze)要(yao)線條(tiao)細(xi)膩(ni)、流暢,繁而(er)不亂,繁簡得當。
端(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)雕刻完畢(bi),必須(xu)配(pei)上名(ming)貴的(de)(de)(de)木(mu)盒(he)(he)。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)起(qi)著(zhu)防(fang)塵和(he)保護(hu)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石的(de)(de)(de)作用(yong)(yong),同時,硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)本身也(ye)是(shi)一(yi)件藝術品、裝(zhuang)飾品。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)的(de)(de)(de)用(yong)(yong)料很講究,名(ming)貴的(de)(de)(de)用(yong)(yong)紫檀(tan)、酸枝、楠(nan)木(mu)等(deng)硬木(mu)。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)的(de)(de)(de)造型一(yi)般按(an)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石形狀而定。自端(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)問(wen)世(shi)以來(lai),其盒(he)(he)底部(bu)都有(you)"四腳(jiao)(jiao)",雜形和(he)天然(ran)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)的(de)(de)(de)"腳(jiao)(jiao)"稱(cheng)"豹腳(jiao)(jiao)",長(chang)方形硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)的(de)(de)(de)"四腳(jiao)(jiao)"則要(yao)(yao)與盒(he)(he)形的(de)(de)(de)四角(jiao)線條(tiao)相吻(wen)合,成為直角(jiao)形的(de)(de)(de)"腳(jiao)(jiao)"。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)之腳(jiao)(jiao)除了起(qi)裝(zhuang)飾作用(yong)(yong)外(wai),更(geng)重(zhong)(zhong)要(yao)(yao)是(shi)從實用(yong)(yong)去考(kao)慮,使移動(dong)端(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)或洗滌(di)(di)時方便(bian)。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)與盒(he)(he)必須(xu)吻(wen)合,同時要(yao)(yao)考(kao)慮到木(mu)盒(he)(he)的(de)(de)(de)干濕度(du),可(ke)能會(hui)整體收縮,硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)本身要(yao)(yao)稍比硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石四周寬些,以便(bian)于硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石取(qu)出(chu)洗滌(di)(di)。總之配(pei)上盒(he)(he)子,能使端(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)顯得更(geng)加古樸凝(ning)重(zhong)(zhong),更(geng)加名(ming)貴。
硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)磨(mo)(mo)(mo)(mo)光的(de)(de)(de)(de)工序一(yi)(yi)般放在配盒之后(hou)。首先(xian)用(yong)(yong)油石(shi)(shi)(shi)加(jia)幼河(he)砂(sha)粗磨(mo)(mo)(mo)(mo),目的(de)(de)(de)(de)磨(mo)(mo)(mo)(mo)去(qu)鑿口、刀(dao)路,然后(hou)再用(yong)(yong)滑石(shi)(shi)(shi)、幼砂(sha)紙,最好是一(yi)(yi)千目的(de)(de)(de)(de)水磨(mo)(mo)(mo)(mo)砂(sha)紙反復(fu)磨(mo)(mo)(mo)(mo)滑,使硯(yan)臺手感光滑為止。最后(hou)是"浸墨(mo)潤石(shi)(shi)(shi)",過一(yi)(yi)兩(liang)天后(hou)褪墨(mo)處理。硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)磨(mo)(mo)(mo)(mo)光的(de)(de)(de)(de)好壞,直(zhi)接(jie)影響硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)品(pin)質(zhi)及使用(yong)(yong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)效果。人們(men)在選擇端(duan)硯(yan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)時候,除了以水濕石(shi)(shi)(shi)察看石(shi)(shi)(shi)色,鑒賞石(shi)(shi)(shi)質(zhi)和(he)石(shi)(shi)(shi)品(pin)花紋外,還常用(yong)(yong)手按摸硯(yan)堂(所(suo)謂手感),看是否(fou)細膩,潤滑,這一(yi)(yi)切都與硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)磨(mo)(mo)(mo)(mo)光有直(zhi)接(jie)關(guan)系。
廣東肇慶市生(sheng)產的端(duan)硯(yan)(yan),既保持(chi)了傳(chuan)統工藝的傳(chuan)統文化特色(se)和(he)地(di)方特色(se),同時(shi)在(zai)造型、構圖、題材、立(li)(li)意(yi)上又有新的突破,創造了端(duan)硯(yan)(yan)實(shi)用(yong)之外的新藝術意(yi)境,如端(duan)州(zhou)古邵圖大端(duan)硯(yan)(yan),巧(qiao)妙(miao)地(di)將古端(duan)州(zhou)縮龍成(cheng)寸(cun),又如仙境立(li)(li)體雕刻(ke)大端(duan)硯(yan)(yan),把端(duan)硯(yan)(yan)雕刻(ke)成(cheng)立(li)(li)體的一(yi)條鱷(e)魚、一(yi)只鳴(ming)蟬、一(yi)堆瓜果、一(yi)群(qun)仙人,并(bing)巧(qiao)妙(miao)地(di)將硯(yan)(yan)池收藏(zang)其中,看似雕塑、古董,但又可磨墨揮毫(hao),令(ling)人嘆為觀止(zhi)。
端(duan)硯具有很(hen)高(gao)的(de)(de)藝(yi)(yi)術價(jia)值(zhi)、收藏價(jia)值(zhi)和人文價(jia)值(zhi),在新(xin)的(de)(de)歷史條件下,機械生(sheng)產沖(chong)擊著手工端(duan)硯制作,傳(chuan)統記憶的(de)(de)傳(chuan)承(cheng)方式導致工匠后繼乏人,只(zhi)有認(ren)真解決了(le)這些問題,才能切(qie)實保護和延續(xu)傳(chuan)統端(duan)硯制作技藝(yi)(yi)。