Chinese Knotting in a Nutshell

Chinese knotting is decorative in nature even when making useful objects like buttons or curtain tie-backs. Tracing the evolution of this art form is difficult because little, if any, written reports exist on this subject. Figures of knotting objects appear in painting and sculpture that date back to ancient times. Remnants of these objects are hard to find since, the cords, made of fibers, disintegrate with age.

During the late 19th century and early 20th century, fanciful knots made of silk cords decorated tobacco pouches, eyeglasses cases, sachets and other items. The knots, whether simple or intricate, would decorate other works of art. With the arrival of mass production, the knot works along with other handmade crafts lost its value and nearly disappeared as an art form.

Following the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949 in the mainland, and the withdrawal of the Republic of China to Taiwan, the art of Chinese knotting nearly became extinct but for the few remaining elderly women who still remember how to do it. Lydia Chen, an authorty on this art form wrote in her 1971 book that there was only one master knotter left outside of mainland China. His name was Wang Chen-kai who worked in the National Palace Museum.

During the 70's and 80's Chinese knotting became popular around the same time as macrame became popular, specially in the United States. It is the hope of knot tyer fans throughout the world that interest in this art form will increase.

Click here to see instructional diagrams of 4 of 12 basic Chinese knots, and button knots.

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