Bringing the past to the future : the craftsmanship of traditional lingnan Guangfu lime modeling

Abstract

Huisu (灰塑) describes colourful statues and rendering which is commonly found at the building elements such as roof ridges and gable walls of traditional Chinese buildings. In different areas of China, 灰塑Huisu has different variety of styles, materials and construction techniques. In this dissertation, the author focused on the 嶺南廣府灰塑(i.e. Lingnan Guangfu Lime Modeling translated by the author) which is one of the core elements in 嶺南(Lingnan) Architecture. The key findings addressed by this dissertation are the lack of technical analyses and no specification for this technique. The objective of this dissertation is to conserve this traditional technique by documentation and specification. This dissertation reviews the research and the records on the materials and application of Lingnan Guangfu Lime Modeling. The author has also done field studies with a specialist craftsman in Lingnan Guangfu Lime Modeling. The plastering techniques in terms of materials, preparation and applications are documented, reviewed and compared with the knowledge complied through the literature review and modern international standards on mortars.

The performance criteria for physical properties of the mortars in Lime Modeling are identified from the modern standards. Some preliminary testing on the physical properties were conducted to verify the hypothesis suggested in the field studies. The most significant finding from the field studies is the cultural significance of Lingnan Guangfu Lime Modeling as a successful representative of the Lingnan Architecture philosophy, from the materials used and applications employed. The findings from the field studies provided the basis for further scientific studies on the materials and applications and were constructed into a specification to build Lingnan Guangfu Lime Modeling. In addition, this dissertation is the first research on Lingnan Guanfu Lime Modeling written in English so as to make information of Lingnan Guangfu Lime Modeling accessible internationally.