后來到了(le)唐朝中葉,一(yi)天(tian)一(yi)老硯(yan)(yan)工(gong)路經端溪時(shi)(shi),看見有兩只仙(xian)鶴飛(fei)落(luo)溪水之中,久而不起,于是心生疑(yi)竇,張網撈捕,但撈起的卻(que)是一(yi)塊石頭!不過,這(zhe)塊石頭十分奇異(yi),上有裂(lie)縫(feng),不時(shi)(shi)發(fa)出(chu)鶴鳴聲響,老硯(yan)(yan)工(gong)順著裂(lie)縫(feng)把(ba)奇石撬開(kai),奇石竟一(yi)分為二,化作兩只硯(yan)(yan)臺,硯(yan)(yan)邊各(ge)有一(yi)只仙(xian)鶴佇立(li)在(zai)蒼(cang)松之上。消息(xi)傳(chuan)開(kai),硯(yan)(yan)工(gong)們紛紛仿制,或各(ge)展其藝,在(zai)硯(yan)(yan)臺上雕(diao)以各(ge)種(zhong)圖案花紋……這(zhe)大概就(jiu)是端硯(yan)(yan)從實用品變為實用工(gong)藝品之始。 工(gong)藝特點
端硯以石質堅實、潤滑、細(xi)(xi)膩、嬌嫩而馳名于世(shi),用(yong)端硯研(yan)墨(mo)不(bu)滯(zhi),發墨(mo)快,研(yan)出之(zhi)(zhi)墨(mo)汁細(xi)(xi)滑,書寫(xie)流暢不(bu)損毫,字跡顏(yan)色經久不(bu)變(bian),好(hao)的端硯,無論是(shi)酷暑,或是(shi)嚴冬(dong),用(yong)手(shou)按其硯心(xin),硯心(xin)湛藍墨(mo)綠(lv),水(shui)氣久久不(bu)干,古(gu)人有(you)"哈氣研(yan)墨(mo)"之(zhi)(zhi)說。
端(duan)硯的制作過程較為(wei)復雜(za),工序繁多(duo)。主要(yao)有采石、維料、制璞、雕刻(ke)、磨(mo)光、配(pei)盒等。
是(shi)制作端(duan)硯極其(qi)(qi)重要(yao)的一環,硯石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)有坑洞之(zhi)(zhi)別(bie),優(you)劣之(zhi)(zhi)分。名(ming)坑質優(you)之(zhi)(zhi)硯石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi),加上制硯高手(shou)(shou)制作,可以出(chu)產精(jing)品(pin)和(he)珍品(pin)。端(duan)硯名(ming)貴(gui)與否,最(zui)基本(ben)的條件(jian)在(zai)于硯石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi),故采石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)這(zhe)道工(gong)(gong)序極為(wei)重要(yao),不(bu)可本(ben)末倒置。端(duan)溪名(ming)坑,自古以來都(dou)以手(shou)(shou)工(gong)(gong)開采,勞動強(qiang)度大,采石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)技術(shu)高,故有"端(duan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)一斤(jin),價值千金"之(zhi)(zhi)說。 因端(duan)溪石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大多不(bu)抗震,硯石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)開采至今仍以手(shou)(shou)工(gong)(gong)開采為(wei)主,不(bu)能以機械代替。在(zai)開采硯石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)中,如看不(bu)清石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)壁,看不(bu)準(zhun)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)脈(mo),就會浪(lang)費好硯材。特別(bie)是(shi)老坑、麻(ma)子(zi)坑和(he)坑仔巖,有時可能整(zheng)壁石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)都(dou)不(bu)成材(石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)工(gong)(gong)謂之(zhi)(zhi)斷脈(mo),即斷層(ceng)),就得(de)將它一塊塊地(di)鑿下來,再根據石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)脈(mo)的走(zou)向(xiang)尋(xun)找石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)源。石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)脈(mo)(石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)層(ceng))的走(zou)向(xiang)一般是(shi)斜向(xiang)下方,有時也會曲折蛇行,甚至要(yao)挖到深(shen)層(ceng)才能找到。因此采石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)工(gong)(gong)必須掌握(wo)硯石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)生長的規(gui)律,順(shun)其(qi)(qi)自然(ran),按部就班,從接縫處下鑿,盡量保住硯材的完整(zheng)。
采石工(gong)人所(suo)使(shi)用的工(gong)具(ju)要(yao)因地制(zhi)宜,以鑿為主。這些刀(dao)具(ju)長短有異(yi),大小不一,粗細不同,但(dan)每(mei)個石工(gong)必備三四十(shi)把(ba),每(mei)天(tian)工(gong)作后(hou)都要(yao)修理或磨礪,所(suo)謂"工(gong)欲善(shan)其(qi)(qi)事,必先(xian)利其(qi)(qi)器(qi)"是也。
制璞維(wei)料(liao)又稱選(xuan)料(liao)制璞。開采出來的硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)并不是(shi)全部都可以(yi)作(zuo)(zuo)硯(yan)(yan)材,須(xu)(xu)經過(guo)(guo)篩選(xuan)后,再將其分別等級。特(te)別好的,純凈無瑕(xia)者(zhe)(zhe)為(wei)特(te)級,稍次(ci)(ci)者(zhe)(zhe)為(wei)甲級,再次(ci)(ci)者(zhe)(zhe)為(wei)乙級。將有瑕(xia)疵的,有裂痕的,或爛石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)、石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)皮、頂(ding)板底(di)板……統(tong)統(tong)去掉,剩下"石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)肉"。這個過(guo)(guo)程首(shou)先(xian)要懂(dong)得看石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)。憑實(shi)踐經驗,內(nei)行的維(wei)料(liao)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)工能(neng)夠"看穿石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)",可以(yi)預測到表(biao)層看不到的石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)品(pin)花紋,如硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)的側(ce)面發現有石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)眼般(ban)的綠點(dian),或綠色(se)的翡翠帶,那么鑿下去可能(neng)有石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)眼出現;硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)的兩(liang)側(ce)如果微呈白(bai)色(se),或白(bai)色(se)的外圍(wei)有火(huo)捺(na)包著,則可能(neng)隱藏魚(yu)腦凍或蕉葉白(bai)。硯(yan)(yan)工還要根據硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)的天然形(xing)狀用錘或鑿制成天然形(xing)、蛋形(xing)、長方形(xing)、方形(xing)、圓(yuan)形(xing)、金鐘形(xing)、蘭(lan)亭式、太史式……等硯(yan)(yan)形(xing)硯(yan)(yan)式的硯(yan)(yan)璞。制璞者(zhe)(zhe)同樣必須(xu)(xu)懂(dong)得看石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi),因為(wei)要將硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)最好的地方留作(zuo)(zuo)墨堂(tang)(tang)。一方端硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)質的優劣(lie)都以(yi)墨堂(tang)(tang)之硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)作(zuo)(zuo)評價,鑒賞石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)品(pin)花紋亦放在墨堂(tang)(tang)之部分(石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)眼除外)。
設計(ji)的(de)(de)(de)目(mu)的(de)(de)(de)是(shi)將硯(yan)石中的(de)(de)(de)瑕疵變成無瑕,以(yi)達(da)到錦上(shang)添花的(de)(de)(de)目(mu)的(de)(de)(de),增加其藝(yi)術價值,硯(yan)的(de)(de)(de)設計(ji)要(yao)求(qiu)"因石構圖,因材施藝(yi)",除(chu)了傳(chuan)統(tong)硯(yan)形硯(yan)式外,還要(yao)充分利(li)用天然石皮(pi),匯(hui)集(ji)文學、歷史(shi)、繪畫、書法(fa)、金石于一(yi)體(ti),可以(yi)說是(shi)將硯(yan)升華為一(yi)種綜(zong)合性藝(yi)術品的(de)(de)(de)重要(yao)環節。2、開璞:硯(yan)石在礦坑開采后(hou),去掉"石皮(pi)",保留"石肉(rou)",然后(hou)按(an)質(zhi)分組(zu)的(de)(de)(de)一(yi)道重要(yao)的(de)(de)(de)工序(xu)。
端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)的雕刻(ke)(ke)是(shi)端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)制(zhi)作過(guo)(guo)程中極其重(zhong)要的工(gong)序。要使一(yi)塊天然樸實的硯(yan)(yan)石(shi),成(cheng)為一(yi)件(jian)精美的工(gong)藝(yi)(yi)(yi)品(pin),就需要創作設計和雕刻(ke)(ke)的過(guo)(guo)程。這個過(guo)(guo)程處(chu)理得當(dang)是(shi)錦(jin)上添花(hua),處(chu)理不(bu)當(dang)就會畫蛇添足(zu)甚至弄(nong)巧成(cheng)拙(zhuo)。故雕刻(ke)(ke)藝(yi)(yi)(yi)人要對硯(yan)(yan)璞因材(cai)施藝(yi)(yi)(yi),因石(shi)構(gou)(gou)圖(tu),還要根(gen)據硯(yan)(yan)璞的石(shi)質,去(qu)粗存精,認真構(gou)(gou)思(si),并(bing)考(kao)慮題材(cai)、立意、構(gou)(gou)圖(tu)、形(xing)制(zhi)以及雕刻(ke)(ke)技法如刀(dao)法、刀(dao)路。雕刻(ke)(ke)端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)要線(xian)條清晰,玲瓏(long)浮凸,一(yi)目了然。端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)雕刻(ke)(ke)主要有深(shen)刀(dao)(高深(shen)雕)與(yu)淺刀(dao)(低浮雕)雕刻(ke)(ke),還有細刻(ke)(ke)、線(xian)刻(ke)(ke),適(shi)當(dang)的通雕(鏤空)。
采用什么雕刻(ke)技法和刀(dao)(dao)法,要(yao)(yao)視題材和硯(yan)(yan)形、硯(yan)(yan)式而(er)定(ding)。如要(yao)(yao)表現剛健(jian)豪放的多采取以(yi)深(shen)刀(dao)(dao)雕刻(ke)為主,適當(dang)穿插淺(qian)刀(dao)(dao)雕刻(ke)和細刻(ke);要(yao)(yao)表現精致古樸、細膩含蓄的,則(ze)以(yi)淺(qian)刀(dao)(dao)雕刻(ke)、線刻(ke)、細刻(ke)為主。總(zong)之(zhi),細刻(ke)和線刻(ke)均屬(shu)"工精藝巧"之(zhi)"工精"部分(fen)。細刻(ke)要(yao)(yao)求雕刻(ke)精細,準確,生動(dong);線刻(ke)則(ze)要(yao)(yao)線條細膩、流暢,繁而(er)不亂,繁簡得當(dang)。
端(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)雕刻完(wan)畢,必(bi)須配(pei)上名(ming)貴的(de)木盒(he)(he)(he)(he)。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)(he)(he)起著防塵和(he)保護(hu)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石的(de)作(zuo)用(yong),同時(shi)(shi),硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)(he)(he)本身(shen)也是(shi)一(yi)件藝(yi)術品(pin)、裝飾品(pin)。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)(he)(he)的(de)用(yong)料很(hen)講究,名(ming)貴的(de)用(yong)紫檀、酸枝(zhi)、楠木等硬木。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)(he)(he)的(de)造型一(yi)般按硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石形狀而定。自端(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)問世以來(lai),其(qi)盒(he)(he)(he)(he)底部都(dou)有"四(si)腳(jiao)",雜形和(he)天然硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)(he)(he)的(de)"腳(jiao)"稱(cheng)"豹(bao)腳(jiao)",長方(fang)形硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)(he)(he)的(de)"四(si)腳(jiao)"則要(yao)(yao)與盒(he)(he)(he)(he)形的(de)四(si)角線條相吻合(he),成為直角形的(de)"腳(jiao)"。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)(he)(he)之(zhi)腳(jiao)除了起裝飾作(zuo)用(yong)外,更重(zhong)要(yao)(yao)是(shi)從實用(yong)去(qu)考(kao)慮,使(shi)移動端(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)或洗滌時(shi)(shi)方(fang)便。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)與盒(he)(he)(he)(he)必(bi)須吻合(he),同時(shi)(shi)要(yao)(yao)考(kao)慮到木盒(he)(he)(he)(he)的(de)干濕度,可能(neng)會整體(ti)收縮,硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)(he)(he)本身(shen)要(yao)(yao)稍比硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石四(si)周寬些,以便于硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石取(qu)出洗滌。總(zong)之(zhi)配(pei)上盒(he)(he)(he)(he)子,能(neng)使(shi)端(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)顯得(de)更加古(gu)樸(pu)凝(ning)重(zhong),更加名(ming)貴。
硯(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)磨(mo)光(guang)(guang)(guang)的工序(xu)一般(ban)放(fang)在(zai)配(pei)盒(he)之后。首(shou)先用油石(shi)(shi)(shi)加幼(you)(you)河砂(sha)(sha)粗磨(mo),目的磨(mo)去(qu)鑿口(kou)、刀路,然(ran)后再(zai)用滑石(shi)(shi)(shi)、幼(you)(you)砂(sha)(sha)紙,最好是一千目的水(shui)磨(mo)砂(sha)(sha)紙反復磨(mo)滑,使(shi)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)臺手感光(guang)(guang)(guang)滑為止。最后是"浸墨(mo)(mo)潤(run)石(shi)(shi)(shi)",過一兩天后褪墨(mo)(mo)處(chu)理。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)磨(mo)光(guang)(guang)(guang)的好壞,直接影響硯(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)的品(pin)質(zhi)及(ji)使(shi)用的效果(guo)。人(ren)們在(zai)選擇端硯(yan)(yan)(yan)的時(shi)候,除了以水(shui)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,還常用手按摸(mo)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)堂(所謂手感),看是否細膩(ni),潤(run)滑,這一切都與(yu)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)的磨(mo)光(guang)(guang)(guang)有直接關(guan)系。
廣東肇慶(qing)市生產的端(duan)硯(yan)(yan),既保持了(le)傳(chuan)統(tong)工藝的傳(chuan)統(tong)文化(hua)特色和地(di)方(fang)特色,同(tong)時在造型、構圖(tu)、題(ti)材、立意上又(you)有新(xin)的突破,創造了(le)端(duan)硯(yan)(yan)實用之外的新(xin)藝術(shu)意境,如端(duan)州古(gu)邵圖(tu)大(da)端(duan)硯(yan)(yan),巧(qiao)妙地(di)將古(gu)端(duan)州縮龍成寸,又(you)如仙境立體雕刻(ke)大(da)端(duan)硯(yan)(yan),把端(duan)硯(yan)(yan)雕刻(ke)成立體的一(yi)條鱷魚、一(yi)只鳴蟬、一(yi)堆瓜(gua)果、一(yi)群(qun)仙人,并(bing)巧(qiao)妙地(di)將硯(yan)(yan)池收(shou)藏其中,看似雕塑、古(gu)董,但又(you)可磨墨揮(hui)毫,令(ling)人嘆為(wei)觀止。
端硯(yan)具有(you)很高的藝術價(jia)值、收(shou)藏價(jia)值和人(ren)(ren)文價(jia)值,在新(xin)的歷史(shi)條件下,機械生產沖擊著手(shou)工(gong)端硯(yan)制作,傳(chuan)統記(ji)憶的傳(chuan)承方(fang)式導致(zhi)工(gong)匠(jiang)后繼乏人(ren)(ren),只有(you)認真(zhen)解決了這些問(wen)題,才能(neng)切實(shi)保護和延(yan)續傳(chuan)統端硯(yan)制作技藝。