后來到了唐朝中葉,一(yi)天一(yi)老硯(yan)工(gong)路經端(duan)溪時,看見(jian)有兩只(zhi)仙鶴(he)飛落(luo)溪水之(zhi)中,久而不起,于是心(xin)生疑(yi)竇(dou),張網撈捕(bu),但(dan)撈起的(de)卻是一(yi)塊石(shi)(shi)頭!不過,這塊石(shi)(shi)頭十(shi)分奇(qi)(qi)(qi)異,上有裂(lie)縫,不時發出鶴(he)鳴聲響,老硯(yan)工(gong)順(shun)著裂(lie)縫把奇(qi)(qi)(qi)石(shi)(shi)撬(qiao)開,奇(qi)(qi)(qi)石(shi)(shi)竟(jing)一(yi)分為二(er),化作兩只(zhi)硯(yan)臺(tai),硯(yan)邊各有一(yi)只(zhi)仙鶴(he)佇立在蒼松之(zhi)上。消(xiao)息傳開,硯(yan)工(gong)們紛(fen)紛(fen)仿(fang)制(zhi),或(huo)各展其藝(yi),在硯(yan)臺(tai)上雕以各種圖(tu)案(an)花紋……這大概就是端(duan)硯(yan)從實用(yong)(yong)品變(bian)為實用(yong)(yong)工(gong)藝(yi)品之(zhi)始。 工(gong)藝(yi)特點(dian)
端(duan)硯(yan)(yan)以石質堅實、潤滑、細(xi)膩、嬌(jiao)嫩而馳名于世(shi),用端(duan)硯(yan)(yan)研(yan)(yan)墨(mo)(mo)不滯,發墨(mo)(mo)快,研(yan)(yan)出之墨(mo)(mo)汁細(xi)滑,書(shu)寫流暢不損毫(hao),字跡顏(yan)色(se)經久不變,好的端(duan)硯(yan)(yan),無論是酷暑,或是嚴(yan)冬(dong),用手按其硯(yan)(yan)心(xin),硯(yan)(yan)心(xin)湛藍墨(mo)(mo)綠(lv),水氣(qi)(qi)久久不干,古人(ren)有"哈氣(qi)(qi)研(yan)(yan)墨(mo)(mo)"之說。
端(duan)硯的制作過程(cheng)較為復雜,工序(xu)繁多。主要(yao)有采(cai)石(shi)、維料、制璞、雕刻、磨光、配盒(he)等。
是制作(zuo)端硯(yan)極其(qi)重(zhong)要的一(yi)(yi)環(huan),硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)有坑(keng)洞之(zhi)(zhi)別(bie),優(you)劣之(zhi)(zhi)分。名(ming)坑(keng)質優(you)之(zhi)(zhi)硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi),加上制硯(yan)高手制作(zuo),可(ke)(ke)(ke)以出產精品和珍(zhen)品。端硯(yan)名(ming)貴與否,最基本的條件在(zai)于硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi),故采(cai)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)這道工(gong)(gong)(gong)序(xu)極為重(zhong)要,不(bu)(bu)可(ke)(ke)(ke)本末倒置。端溪名(ming)坑(keng),自(zi)(zi)古以來都(dou)以手工(gong)(gong)(gong)開(kai)(kai)采(cai),勞動強(qiang)度大(da),采(cai)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)技術高,故有"端石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)(yi)斤,價值千金"之(zhi)(zhi)說。 因端溪石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大(da)多不(bu)(bu)抗震,硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)開(kai)(kai)采(cai)至今仍以手工(gong)(gong)(gong)開(kai)(kai)采(cai)為主,不(bu)(bu)能(neng)以機械(xie)代(dai)替。在(zai)開(kai)(kai)采(cai)硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)中,如(ru)看(kan)不(bu)(bu)清(qing)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)壁,看(kan)不(bu)(bu)準(zhun)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)脈(mo),就(jiu)會浪費好硯(yan)材(cai)(cai)(cai)。特別(bie)是老坑(keng)、麻(ma)子坑(keng)和坑(keng)仔巖,有時(shi)可(ke)(ke)(ke)能(neng)整壁石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)都(dou)不(bu)(bu)成(cheng)材(cai)(cai)(cai)(石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)工(gong)(gong)(gong)謂之(zhi)(zhi)斷脈(mo),即斷層),就(jiu)得將它一(yi)(yi)塊塊地鑿下來,再根據石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)脈(mo)的走向尋找(zhao)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)源(yuan)。石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)脈(mo)(石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)層)的走向一(yi)(yi)般是斜(xie)向下方,有時(shi)也(ye)會曲折蛇行,甚至要挖到(dao)(dao)深層才能(neng)找(zhao)到(dao)(dao)。因此采(cai)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)工(gong)(gong)(gong)必須(xu)掌(zhang)握硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)生長的規律,順其(qi)自(zi)(zi)然,按部就(jiu)班(ban),從接(jie)縫處下鑿,盡量保住硯(yan)材(cai)(cai)(cai)的完整。
采石工(gong)人所(suo)(suo)使用的(de)工(gong)具要因地制(zhi)宜,以鑿為主。這些(xie)刀(dao)具長短有(you)異,大小不一,粗細不同,但每個石工(gong)必備三(san)四十把,每天工(gong)作后(hou)都要修(xiu)理或磨礪,所(suo)(suo)謂(wei)"工(gong)欲善其事,必先(xian)利其器"是(shi)也(ye)。
制璞維料又(you)稱選(xuan)料制璞。開采出來(lai)的(de)(de)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)并不(bu)是全部都可以(yi)(yi)作硯(yan)(yan)(yan)材(cai),須(xu)經過篩選(xuan)后,再將其(qi)分(fen)別等級(ji)。特別好的(de)(de),純凈無瑕者(zhe)為特級(ji),稍(shao)次者(zhe)為甲級(ji),再次者(zhe)為乙級(ji)。將有瑕疵的(de)(de),有裂痕的(de)(de),或爛石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)、石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)皮(pi)、頂板底板……統統去掉(diao),剩下(xia)"石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)肉(rou)"。這個過程(cheng)首先要懂(dong)得(de)看(kan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)。憑實踐經驗,內(nei)行的(de)(de)維料石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)工能夠"看(kan)穿石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)",可以(yi)(yi)預(yu)測到表層看(kan)不(bu)到的(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)品(pin)花紋,如硯(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)側面(mian)發現(xian)有石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)眼(yan)般的(de)(de)綠(lv)點,或綠(lv)色(se)的(de)(de)翡翠帶(dai),那(nei)么鑿下(xia)去可能有石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)眼(yan)出現(xian);硯(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)兩(liang)側如果微(wei)呈白(bai)(bai)(bai)色(se),或白(bai)(bai)(bai)色(se)的(de)(de)外(wai)圍有火捺包著,則(ze)可能隱藏魚腦(nao)凍或蕉葉白(bai)(bai)(bai)。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)工還要根(gen)據硯(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)天然形(xing)狀用錘(chui)或鑿制成天然形(xing)、蛋形(xing)、長方(fang)形(xing)、方(fang)形(xing)、圓形(xing)、金鐘(zhong)形(xing)、蘭(lan)亭式(shi)、太(tai)史式(shi)……等硯(yan)(yan)(yan)形(xing)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)式(shi)的(de)(de)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)璞。制璞者(zhe)同(tong)樣必須(xu)懂(dong)得(de)看(kan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi),因為要將硯(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)最好的(de)(de)地方(fang)留作墨堂。一方(fang)端(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)質(zhi)的(de)(de)優劣都以(yi)(yi)墨堂之硯(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)作評價,鑒賞石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)品(pin)花紋亦放(fang)在墨堂之部分(fen)(石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)眼(yan)除外(wai))。
設(she)計的目(mu)(mu)的是將硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)中的瑕(xia)(xia)疵變成無瑕(xia)(xia),以(yi)達到錦上(shang)添花的目(mu)(mu)的,增(zeng)加其藝術價值,硯(yan)的設(she)計要(yao)求"因石(shi)(shi)(shi)構圖,因材施藝",除了傳(chuan)統(tong)硯(yan)形(xing)硯(yan)式外,還(huan)要(yao)充分(fen)利用天然(ran)石(shi)(shi)(shi)皮,匯集文學、歷史、繪畫、書法、金石(shi)(shi)(shi)于一(yi)體,可以(yi)說(shuo)是將硯(yan)升華為一(yi)種綜合性藝術品的重要(yao)環節。2、開璞:硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)在礦(kuang)坑開采后,去掉"石(shi)(shi)(shi)皮",保留"石(shi)(shi)(shi)肉",然(ran)后按質(zhi)分(fen)組的一(yi)道重要(yao)的工序。
端硯(yan)的(de)雕(diao)(diao)(diao)刻(ke)是端硯(yan)制作(zuo)過(guo)程(cheng)中極其重要(yao)(yao)的(de)工序。要(yao)(yao)使(shi)一(yi)塊天(tian)然樸實的(de)硯(yan)石(shi),成為一(yi)件精(jing)美的(de)工藝品,就需要(yao)(yao)創作(zuo)設計和(he)雕(diao)(diao)(diao)刻(ke)的(de)過(guo)程(cheng)。這個過(guo)程(cheng)處(chu)理得當是錦上添(tian)(tian)花,處(chu)理不當就會(hui)畫蛇添(tian)(tian)足甚至弄(nong)巧成拙。故(gu)雕(diao)(diao)(diao)刻(ke)藝人要(yao)(yao)對硯(yan)璞因(yin)材(cai)施藝,因(yin)石(shi)構(gou)(gou)圖(tu),還要(yao)(yao)根據(ju)硯(yan)璞的(de)石(shi)質,去粗存精(jing),認(ren)真(zhen)構(gou)(gou)思,并考慮(lv)題材(cai)、立意、構(gou)(gou)圖(tu)、形制以及雕(diao)(diao)(diao)刻(ke)技法(fa)如刀(dao)(dao)法(fa)、刀(dao)(dao)路(lu)。雕(diao)(diao)(diao)刻(ke)端硯(yan)要(yao)(yao)線條清晰(xi),玲瓏浮凸,一(yi)目了然。端硯(yan)雕(diao)(diao)(diao)刻(ke)主(zhu)要(yao)(yao)有深刀(dao)(dao)(高深雕(diao)(diao)(diao))與淺刀(dao)(dao)(低浮雕(diao)(diao)(diao))雕(diao)(diao)(diao)刻(ke),還有細刻(ke)、線刻(ke),適當的(de)通雕(diao)(diao)(diao)(鏤空)。
采用什么雕刻(ke)(ke)(ke)技法和刀(dao)(dao)(dao)法,要(yao)(yao)視題材和硯形、硯式(shi)而定(ding)。如要(yao)(yao)表(biao)現剛健(jian)豪放的多采取以(yi)深刀(dao)(dao)(dao)雕刻(ke)(ke)(ke)為(wei)主(zhu)(zhu),適(shi)當穿插淺(qian)刀(dao)(dao)(dao)雕刻(ke)(ke)(ke)和細(xi)刻(ke)(ke)(ke);要(yao)(yao)表(biao)現精致古樸、細(xi)膩(ni)含蓄(xu)的,則(ze)以(yi)淺(qian)刀(dao)(dao)(dao)雕刻(ke)(ke)(ke)、線(xian)(xian)刻(ke)(ke)(ke)、細(xi)刻(ke)(ke)(ke)為(wei)主(zhu)(zhu)。總之(zhi),細(xi)刻(ke)(ke)(ke)和線(xian)(xian)刻(ke)(ke)(ke)均屬"工精藝巧"之(zhi)"工精"部(bu)分(fen)。細(xi)刻(ke)(ke)(ke)要(yao)(yao)求雕刻(ke)(ke)(ke)精細(xi),準(zhun)確,生動;線(xian)(xian)刻(ke)(ke)(ke)則(ze)要(yao)(yao)線(xian)(xian)條細(xi)膩(ni)、流暢,繁(fan)而不亂,繁(fan)簡得當。
端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)雕刻(ke)完畢,必(bi)須配上名貴(gui)的(de)(de)(de)木(mu)(mu)盒(he)(he)。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)起(qi)著防(fang)塵和保(bao)護(hu)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石的(de)(de)(de)作用,同(tong)時(shi)(shi),硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)本身(shen)也(ye)是一(yi)件藝術(shu)品、裝(zhuang)飾(shi)品。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)的(de)(de)(de)用料很(hen)講(jiang)究,名貴(gui)的(de)(de)(de)用紫(zi)檀、酸枝、楠木(mu)(mu)等硬木(mu)(mu)。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)的(de)(de)(de)造型一(yi)般按硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石形(xing)狀而定。自(zi)端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)問(wen)世以(yi)(yi)來(lai),其盒(he)(he)底部都有(you)"四(si)腳(jiao)(jiao)",雜(za)形(xing)和天然硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)的(de)(de)(de)"腳(jiao)(jiao)"稱"豹(bao)腳(jiao)(jiao)",長(chang)方(fang)形(xing)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)的(de)(de)(de)"四(si)腳(jiao)(jiao)"則要(yao)(yao)與(yu)盒(he)(he)形(xing)的(de)(de)(de)四(si)角(jiao)線(xian)條相吻合,成為(wei)直角(jiao)形(xing)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(shi)作用外,更重要(yao)(yao)是從實用去考慮,使(shi)移動端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)或洗(xi)(xi)滌(di)時(shi)(shi)方(fang)便。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)與(yu)盒(he)(he)必(bi)須吻合,同(tong)時(shi)(shi)要(yao)(yao)考慮到木(mu)(mu)盒(he)(he)的(de)(de)(de)干濕度,可(ke)能會(hui)整體收(shou)縮,硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)本身(shen)要(yao)(yao)稍比硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石四(si)周寬些,以(yi)(yi)便于硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石取(qu)出洗(xi)(xi)滌(di)。總之配上盒(he)(he)子,能使(shi)端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)顯得更加(jia)古樸凝重,更加(jia)名貴(gui)。
硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)磨(mo)光(guang)的(de)(de)工(gong)序一(yi)般放在配(pei)盒之后(hou)。首先用(yong)(yong)油石(shi)(shi)加幼河砂粗磨(mo),目的(de)(de)磨(mo)去鑿口(kou)、刀路(lu),然后(hou)再(zai)用(yong)(yong)滑(hua)石(shi)(shi)、幼砂紙(zhi),最好是一(yi)千目的(de)(de)水(shui)磨(mo)砂紙(zhi)反復磨(mo)滑(hua),使硯(yan)臺手感光(guang)滑(hua)為止。最后(hou)是"浸墨潤石(shi)(shi)",過一(yi)兩天后(hou)褪墨處理。硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)磨(mo)光(guang)的(de)(de)好壞,直(zhi)接影響硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)品質及使用(yong)(yong)的(de)(de)效果(guo)。人們(men)在選(xuan)擇端硯(yan)的(de)(de)時候,除了以水(shui)濕石(shi)(shi)察看石(shi)(shi)色,鑒賞石(shi)(shi)質和石(shi)(shi)品花紋外,還常用(yong)(yong)手按(an)摸(mo)硯(yan)堂(tang)(所謂手感),看是否(fou)細膩,潤滑(hua),這一(yi)切都與(yu)硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)磨(mo)光(guang)有直(zhi)接關系(xi)。
廣東肇慶(qing)市生產的(de)(de)端(duan)(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan),既保持了傳統(tong)工藝(yi)的(de)(de)傳統(tong)文化特(te)色(se)和地(di)(di)方特(te)色(se),同時(shi)在造型、構圖、題材、立意(yi)上又(you)有新的(de)(de)突破,創造了端(duan)(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)實(shi)用(yong)之外的(de)(de)新藝(yi)術意(yi)境,如(ru)端(duan)(duan)(duan)州古(gu)(gu)邵(shao)圖大端(duan)(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan),巧妙地(di)(di)將古(gu)(gu)端(duan)(duan)(duan)州縮(suo)龍成寸,又(you)如(ru)仙境立體(ti)(ti)雕(diao)刻大端(duan)(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan),把(ba)端(duan)(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)雕(diao)刻成立體(ti)(ti)的(de)(de)一(yi)(yi)條鱷魚、一(yi)(yi)只鳴蟬(chan)、一(yi)(yi)堆瓜果、一(yi)(yi)群仙人(ren),并巧妙地(di)(di)將硯(yan)(yan)(yan)池收藏其中,看似雕(diao)塑、古(gu)(gu)董(dong),但(dan)又(you)可(ke)磨墨揮毫,令人(ren)嘆為觀止(zhi)。
端硯(yan)具有(you)很高的藝(yi)術價(jia)值、收藏(zang)價(jia)值和人(ren)文價(jia)值,在新的歷史條件(jian)下,機械生產沖擊著(zhu)手工端硯(yan)制(zhi)作,傳統記(ji)憶(yi)的傳承方式導致(zhi)工匠后繼乏人(ren),只有(you)認真解決了這些問題(ti),才能切實(shi)保(bao)護和延續傳統端硯(yan)制(zhi)作技藝(yi)。