后(hou)來到了唐朝中(zhong)葉,一天一老硯(yan)工(gong)路經端(duan)溪時(shi),看見(jian)有(you)兩只(zhi)仙鶴(he)飛落溪水之(zhi)(zhi)中(zhong),久而不(bu)(bu)起,于是心生疑(yi)竇,張網撈捕,但撈起的(de)卻是一塊(kuai)石頭(tou)!不(bu)(bu)過,這塊(kuai)石頭(tou)十(shi)分(fen)奇(qi)異,上(shang)(shang)有(you)裂縫,不(bu)(bu)時(shi)發出(chu)鶴(he)鳴聲響(xiang),老硯(yan)工(gong)順著裂縫把奇(qi)石撬開(kai),奇(qi)石竟一分(fen)為二,化(hua)作兩只(zhi)硯(yan)臺,硯(yan)邊各(ge)(ge)有(you)一只(zhi)仙鶴(he)佇立在(zai)蒼松(song)之(zhi)(zhi)上(shang)(shang)。消息傳開(kai),硯(yan)工(gong)們紛紛仿制,或各(ge)(ge)展其藝(yi),在(zai)硯(yan)臺上(shang)(shang)雕以各(ge)(ge)種圖案(an)花紋……這大概就是端(duan)硯(yan)從實(shi)用(yong)品(pin)變(bian)為實(shi)用(yong)工(gong)藝(yi)品(pin)之(zhi)(zhi)始。 工(gong)藝(yi)特點
端(duan)硯(yan)(yan)以石質堅實(shi)、潤滑、細(xi)膩(ni)、嬌嫩而馳(chi)名于世,用端(duan)硯(yan)(yan)研墨(mo)(mo)不滯,發墨(mo)(mo)快,研出(chu)之墨(mo)(mo)汁細(xi)滑,書寫流暢不損(sun)毫,字跡顏(yan)色經久不變,好的端(duan)硯(yan)(yan),無論是酷暑,或是嚴冬,用手按其硯(yan)(yan)心(xin),硯(yan)(yan)心(xin)湛藍墨(mo)(mo)綠,水氣(qi)久久不干,古人有"哈(ha)氣(qi)研墨(mo)(mo)"之說。
端硯(yan)的制作過程較為復(fu)雜,工序繁多(duo)。主要有采石、維料、制璞、雕刻(ke)、磨光(guang)、配盒等(deng)。
是制(zhi)(zhi)作端硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)極(ji)其(qi)重要的一環,硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)有(you)坑(keng)(keng)洞(dong)之別,優劣之分。名坑(keng)(keng)質優之硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi),加上制(zhi)(zhi)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)高手制(zhi)(zhi)作,可(ke)以(yi)出產精品(pin)(pin)和(he)珍品(pin)(pin)。端硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)名貴與否,最基本的條(tiao)件在于硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi),故采石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)這道工(gong)序極(ji)為(wei)重要,不(bu)(bu)(bu)可(ke)本末倒置。端溪名坑(keng)(keng),自(zi)古以(yi)來都以(yi)手工(gong)開(kai)采,勞動強度大,采石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)技術(shu)高,故有(you)"端石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)一斤,價值千金"之說。 因(yin)(yin)端溪石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大多不(bu)(bu)(bu)抗震(zhen),硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)開(kai)采至今仍以(yi)手工(gong)開(kai)采為(wei)主,不(bu)(bu)(bu)能(neng)(neng)以(yi)機械(xie)代替。在開(kai)采硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)中,如看(kan)不(bu)(bu)(bu)清石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)壁,看(kan)不(bu)(bu)(bu)準石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)脈,就(jiu)(jiu)會浪(lang)費好(hao)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)材(cai)(cai)。特別是老坑(keng)(keng)、麻子坑(keng)(keng)和(he)坑(keng)(keng)仔巖,有(you)時可(ke)能(neng)(neng)整壁石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)都不(bu)(bu)(bu)成材(cai)(cai)(石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)工(gong)謂之斷(duan)脈,即斷(duan)層(ceng)),就(jiu)(jiu)得(de)將它一塊(kuai)(kuai)塊(kuai)(kuai)地鑿(zao)下來,再根據石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)脈的走向尋找石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)源(yuan)。石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)脈(石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)層(ceng))的走向一般是斜向下方,有(you)時也會曲折蛇行,甚至要挖到(dao)深層(ceng)才能(neng)(neng)找到(dao)。因(yin)(yin)此采石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)工(gong)必(bi)須掌握(wo)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)生長的規(gui)律,順其(qi)自(zi)然,按部就(jiu)(jiu)班,從接縫(feng)處下鑿(zao),盡(jin)量(liang)保住硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)材(cai)(cai)的完(wan)整。
采石(shi)工(gong)人所使用的工(gong)具(ju)要(yao)(yao)因(yin)地制(zhi)宜(yi),以鑿為主。這些刀(dao)具(ju)長短有異,大小不(bu)一,粗(cu)細不(bu)同,但(dan)每個石(shi)工(gong)必備三四十把,每天(tian)工(gong)作后都要(yao)(yao)修理或磨(mo)礪,所謂"工(gong)欲善其事(shi),必先利(li)其器"是(shi)也。
制璞(pu)(pu)維料(liao)(liao)又稱(cheng)選料(liao)(liao)制璞(pu)(pu)。開(kai)采(cai)出來(lai)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)并不是全部都可(ke)(ke)以(yi)作硯(yan)(yan)(yan)材,須(xu)經(jing)過篩選后,再將其分(fen)別等(deng)級。特(te)別好的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de),純凈(jing)無瑕者為(wei)特(te)級,稍次者為(wei)甲(jia)級,再次者為(wei)乙級。將有瑕疵(ci)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de),有裂痕的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de),或爛石(shi)(shi)(shi)、石(shi)(shi)(shi)皮(pi)、頂板底板……統(tong)統(tong)去掉,剩下"石(shi)(shi)(shi)肉"。這個(ge)過程首先要懂(dong)得看石(shi)(shi)(shi)。憑實踐經(jing)驗,內(nei)行的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)維料(liao)(liao)石(shi)(shi)(shi)工(gong)能(neng)夠"看穿石(shi)(shi)(shi)",可(ke)(ke)以(yi)預測(ce)到(dao)表層看不到(dao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)品花紋(wen),如(ru)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)側面(mian)發現(xian)有石(shi)(shi)(shi)眼般的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)綠(lv)點,或綠(lv)色(se)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)翡翠帶,那么鑿(zao)(zao)下去可(ke)(ke)能(neng)有石(shi)(shi)(shi)眼出現(xian);硯(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)兩側如(ru)果微呈白(bai)色(se),或白(bai)色(se)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)外圍(wei)有火(huo)捺包著,則可(ke)(ke)能(neng)隱藏魚腦凍或蕉葉(xie)白(bai)。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)工(gong)還要根據硯(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)天然形(xing)(xing)(xing)狀用錘或鑿(zao)(zao)制成(cheng)天然形(xing)(xing)(xing)、蛋形(xing)(xing)(xing)、長方(fang)形(xing)(xing)(xing)、方(fang)形(xing)(xing)(xing)、圓形(xing)(xing)(xing)、金鐘形(xing)(xing)(xing)、蘭亭(ting)式、太史式……等(deng)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)形(xing)(xing)(xing)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)式的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)璞(pu)(pu)。制璞(pu)(pu)者同樣(yang)必須(xu)懂(dong)得看石(shi)(shi)(shi),因(yin)為(wei)要將硯(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)最(zui)好的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)地方(fang)留作墨堂(tang)。一方(fang)端(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)質的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)優劣都以(yi)墨堂(tang)之硯(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)作評(ping)價,鑒賞(shang)石(shi)(shi)(shi)品花紋(wen)亦(yi)放在墨堂(tang)之部分(fen)(石(shi)(shi)(shi)眼除外)。
設計的(de)(de)目(mu)的(de)(de)是將硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)中的(de)(de)瑕疵變(bian)成(cheng)無瑕,以達到錦上添花的(de)(de)目(mu)的(de)(de),增加其藝(yi)術價值,硯(yan)的(de)(de)設計要(yao)求"因(yin)石(shi)(shi)(shi)構(gou)圖,因(yin)材(cai)施藝(yi)",除了傳統硯(yan)形硯(yan)式外(wai),還要(yao)充分(fen)利用天然石(shi)(shi)(shi)皮(pi)(pi),匯集文學、歷史、繪(hui)畫、書法、金石(shi)(shi)(shi)于一(yi)體,可以說是將硯(yan)升(sheng)華為一(yi)種綜合性藝(yi)術品(pin)的(de)(de)重(zhong)(zhong)要(yao)環節(jie)。2、開(kai)(kai)璞:硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)在(zai)礦(kuang)坑開(kai)(kai)采后(hou),去掉"石(shi)(shi)(shi)皮(pi)(pi)",保(bao)留"石(shi)(shi)(shi)肉(rou)",然后(hou)按質分(fen)組的(de)(de)一(yi)道重(zhong)(zhong)要(yao)的(de)(de)工序。
端硯(yan)的(de)雕(diao)刻(ke)(ke)(ke)是端硯(yan)制(zhi)作(zuo)過(guo)程中極其重要(yao)(yao)的(de)工序(xu)。要(yao)(yao)使一(yi)塊天然(ran)樸(pu)實的(de)硯(yan)石(shi)(shi),成為(wei)一(yi)件精美的(de)工藝品(pin),就(jiu)需要(yao)(yao)創(chuang)作(zuo)設計和雕(diao)刻(ke)(ke)(ke)的(de)過(guo)程。這(zhe)個過(guo)程處理(li)得當是錦上添花,處理(li)不(bu)當就(jiu)會畫(hua)蛇添足甚(shen)至弄巧成拙。故雕(diao)刻(ke)(ke)(ke)藝人要(yao)(yao)對(dui)硯(yan)璞(pu)因(yin)材施藝,因(yin)石(shi)(shi)構圖,還要(yao)(yao)根據(ju)硯(yan)璞(pu)的(de)石(shi)(shi)質,去(qu)粗存精,認真構思,并考慮題材、立意、構圖、形制(zhi)以及雕(diao)刻(ke)(ke)(ke)技法如(ru)刀法、刀路。雕(diao)刻(ke)(ke)(ke)端硯(yan)要(yao)(yao)線條清晰,玲瓏浮(fu)凸,一(yi)目(mu)了然(ran)。端硯(yan)雕(diao)刻(ke)(ke)(ke)主要(yao)(yao)有深(shen)刀(高(gao)深(shen)雕(diao))與淺刀(低浮(fu)雕(diao))雕(diao)刻(ke)(ke)(ke),還有細刻(ke)(ke)(ke)、線刻(ke)(ke)(ke),適(shi)當的(de)通雕(diao)(鏤空(kong))。
采(cai)用什么雕刻(ke)技法和(he)刀法,要視題材和(he)硯形、硯式(shi)而定。如(ru)要表現(xian)剛健豪(hao)放(fang)的多(duo)采(cai)取以(yi)深刀雕刻(ke)為主,適當穿插淺刀雕刻(ke)和(he)細(xi)(xi)刻(ke);要表現(xian)精(jing)致(zhi)古(gu)樸、細(xi)(xi)膩含蓄的,則以(yi)淺刀雕刻(ke)、線刻(ke)、細(xi)(xi)刻(ke)為主。總之,細(xi)(xi)刻(ke)和(he)線刻(ke)均(jun)屬(shu)"工精(jing)藝巧"之"工精(jing)"部分。細(xi)(xi)刻(ke)要求雕刻(ke)精(jing)細(xi)(xi),準確(que),生動;線刻(ke)則要線條細(xi)(xi)膩、流暢,繁(fan)而不亂(luan),繁(fan)簡得當。
端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)雕刻完畢,必須(xu)配(pei)上(shang)名(ming)(ming)貴(gui)的(de)(de)木(mu)盒(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)起著防塵(chen)和保(bao)護硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)的(de)(de)作用(yong)(yong)(yong),同(tong)時(shi),硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)本(ben)身(shen)也是一件(jian)藝術品、裝飾品。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)的(de)(de)用(yong)(yong)(yong)料很(hen)講究,名(ming)(ming)貴(gui)的(de)(de)用(yong)(yong)(yong)紫(zi)檀、酸枝、楠木(mu)等硬木(mu)。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)的(de)(de)造(zao)型一般按硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)形(xing)(xing)狀而定。自端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)問世以來(lai),其盒(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)底部都有"四腳(jiao)(jiao)",雜形(xing)(xing)和天然(ran)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)的(de)(de)"腳(jiao)(jiao)"稱"豹腳(jiao)(jiao)",長方(fang)形(xing)(xing)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)的(de)(de)"四腳(jiao)(jiao)"則要與盒(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)形(xing)(xing)的(de)(de)四角線條相吻(wen)合(he),成為直角形(xing)(xing)的(de)(de)"腳(jiao)(jiao)"。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)之腳(jiao)(jiao)除(chu)了起裝飾作用(yong)(yong)(yong)外(wai),更(geng)重(zhong)(zhong)要是從(cong)實用(yong)(yong)(yong)去考慮,使移動(dong)端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)或洗滌(di)時(shi)方(fang)便。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)與盒(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)必須(xu)吻(wen)合(he),同(tong)時(shi)要考慮到木(mu)盒(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)的(de)(de)干濕度(du),可能(neng)會整體收縮,硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)本(ben)身(shen)要稍比硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)四周寬(kuan)些(xie),以便于硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)取(qu)出洗滌(di)。總(zong)之配(pei)上(shang)盒(he)(he)(he)(he)(he)子,能(neng)使端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)顯得(de)更(geng)加古(gu)樸凝重(zhong)(zhong),更(geng)加名(ming)(ming)貴(gui)。
硯石(shi)(shi)磨(mo)(mo)光(guang)的(de)(de)工序一般放在配盒(he)之后(hou)(hou)。首先用油石(shi)(shi)加幼河砂粗磨(mo)(mo),目的(de)(de)磨(mo)(mo)去鑿口(kou)、刀路,然(ran)后(hou)(hou)再用滑石(shi)(shi)、幼砂紙,最(zui)好是(shi)一千目的(de)(de)水磨(mo)(mo)砂紙反復磨(mo)(mo)滑,使硯臺(tai)手感(gan)光(guang)滑為(wei)止。最(zui)后(hou)(hou)是(shi)"浸墨潤(run)石(shi)(shi)",過一兩天后(hou)(hou)褪墨處理。硯石(shi)(shi)磨(mo)(mo)光(guang)的(de)(de)好壞,直接影(ying)響硯石(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)品(pin)質及使用的(de)(de)效果。人們在選擇端硯的(de)(de)時(shi)候,除了以水濕石(shi)(shi)察看石(shi)(shi)色(se),鑒賞石(shi)(shi)質和(he)石(shi)(shi)品(pin)花紋(wen)外(wai),還常用手按摸硯堂(所謂手感(gan)),看是(shi)否(fou)細(xi)膩,潤(run)滑,這一切都與硯石(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)磨(mo)(mo)光(guang)有直接關系。
廣東肇慶市生產的(de)端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan),既保(bao)持了(le)傳統工藝的(de)傳統文(wen)化特色和地(di)方特色,同時在造(zao)型、構圖、題材、立意上又有新(xin)的(de)突破(po),創造(zao)了(le)端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)實用之外(wai)的(de)新(xin)藝術(shu)意境(jing)(jing),如端(duan)(duan)州古邵圖大端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan),巧妙地(di)將(jiang)古端(duan)(duan)州縮龍成(cheng)寸,又如仙(xian)境(jing)(jing)立體雕刻(ke)大端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan),把端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)雕刻(ke)成(cheng)立體的(de)一(yi)條鱷魚、一(yi)只鳴蟬、一(yi)堆瓜果、一(yi)群仙(xian)人,并(bing)巧妙地(di)將(jiang)硯(yan)(yan)池收藏其中(zhong),看似(si)雕塑、古董(dong),但又可(ke)磨墨揮(hui)毫(hao),令人嘆為觀止。
端硯具有很高(gao)的(de)藝術價(jia)值、收(shou)藏價(jia)值和人文價(jia)值,在新的(de)歷(li)史條件下,機械生產沖擊著手工端硯制作(zuo),傳統記(ji)憶的(de)傳承方式(shi)導致(zhi)工匠后繼乏人,只有認真解決了這些問題,才能切實(shi)保護和延(yan)續(xu)傳統端硯制作(zuo)技藝。