Taiwan Temple Art from Broken Ceramics

Sanyu Temple, Taipei, Taiwan

Sanyu Temple

Tzushi Temple, Sanxia, Taiwan

Cheng Family Temple, Tainan, Taiwan

Who knew that the most ornate parts of a temple were made from gluing together broken pieces of ceramics? In fact, some of the most spectacular aspects of a temple in Taiwan are the  intricate and decorative statues adorning the roofs and walls. These colorful artistic figures--Chien Nien (or jiannian)--are created from gluing together broken and deformed pieces of ceramics and glass. The name literally means "cut and glue" to describe the this ingenious form of artistic recycling. The resulting figures are visually stunning, with brilliant colors and shapes reflecting unique aspects of Taiwan's religion, history, myths, literature, and culture. Chien Nien have been around since the Ching Dynasty (1644-1911) and are sometimes confused with hiao chih tao, or clay figures, because both types of figures are used in architectural decoration. Chien nien is fired at over 1,000 degrees centigrade, while hiao chih tao are fired at less than 700 degrees. Because chien nien are stronger and more resistant to the elements they are often used as roof decorations. In contrast, because the clay figures are more breakable and delicate, they are typically found on inside beams and walls where they can be protected from the weather.  With more than 15,000 official temples in Taiwan, there is no shortage of work for artists who specialize in chien nien.

Details of chien nien

"Craftsmen mixed lime, asbestos, syrup, and even honey at times into a soft and plastic mass that was then modeled into the rough contours of human figures, animals, or plants. The skeleton of the objects were made of iron wire. Before a figure dried, the craftsmen would dress it by attaching ceramic fragments, giving it specific form and color. Except for the face, which was specially baked and painted, the rest of the figure's surface area was made from bowl fragments. Color, size, and the curvature of the bowl fragments all had to be carefully judged by the craftsmen as they deftly built each figure. Hats, clothes, petals, leaves, ocean waves and fish scales—all required skilled selection of materials and careful shaping" (Leu, 1990).

Sources: http://taiwanreview.nat.gov.tw/ct.asp?xitem=105211&ctnode=1337&mp=1
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/taiwan/travel-tips-and-articles/76826 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Detail_of_Chien_Nien_style_of_porcelain_works.jpg