扬州瓜灯及其雕刻艺术

Yangzhou Melon Lamp and the Sculpture Art

扬州瓜果雕刻艺术起源于隋唐,盛行于清代,至今已有一千多年历史,最早是由民间艺人创造西瓜灯用于祭祀活动,后由扬州厨师引用到餐饮宴席之中,以美化餐厅,渲染宴饮气氛。扬州瓜果雕刻艺术价值就在于突环雕刻的独特性,其造型可谓是鬼斧神工、妙趣横生,被誉为中国食品雕刻之最。

Yangzhou melon sculpture art became established in Sui and Tang Dynasties and prevailed in Qing Dynasty. It has a history for over 1000 years so far. Melon lamp was originally created by folk artisans for ritual activities and later introduced by Yangzhou cooks into banquet for the purpose of beautifying dining place and playing up the dining atmosphere. The artistic value of Yangzhou melon sculpture lies in its peculiar skill and its various and vivacious moldings, which enjoys the most glorious reputation in the field.