后來(lai)到了唐朝中葉,一(yi)(yi)天一(yi)(yi)老硯工路(lu)經端溪時,看見有兩只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)仙鶴(he)飛落溪水之中,久而不起(qi),于是(shi)心生疑竇,張網(wang)撈(lao)捕(bu),但撈(lao)起(qi)的(de)卻是(shi)一(yi)(yi)塊石(shi)(shi)頭!不過,這(zhe)塊石(shi)(shi)頭十(shi)分奇異,上(shang)有裂(lie)縫(feng),不時發出鶴(he)鳴聲(sheng)響(xiang),老硯工順著裂(lie)縫(feng)把(ba)奇石(shi)(shi)撬開(kai)(kai),奇石(shi)(shi)竟一(yi)(yi)分為二,化作(zuo)兩只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)硯臺,硯邊(bian)各(ge)(ge)有一(yi)(yi)只(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)仙鶴(he)佇立(li)在蒼(cang)松之上(shang)。消息傳開(kai)(kai),硯工們紛紛仿制,或各(ge)(ge)展其藝,在硯臺上(shang)雕以各(ge)(ge)種圖案花紋……這(zhe)大概就是(shi)端硯從實用(yong)品(pin)變(bian)為實用(yong)工藝品(pin)之始(shi)。 工藝特點(dian)
端硯以(yi)石(shi)質堅實、潤滑、細膩、嬌嫩而馳名于世,用(yong)端硯研墨不(bu)滯,發墨快(kuai),研出之墨汁(zhi)細滑,書寫流暢不(bu)損毫,字跡顏色(se)經久(jiu)不(bu)變(bian),好的(de)端硯,無(wu)論是酷(ku)暑,或(huo)是嚴(yan)冬,用(yong)手按(an)其硯心,硯心湛藍墨綠,水(shui)氣久(jiu)久(jiu)不(bu)干,古人有"哈氣研墨"之說。
端硯的制作過程較為復雜,工(gong)序繁多(duo)。主(zhu)要有采石(shi)、維料、制璞、雕刻(ke)、磨光、配盒等。
是(shi)(shi)制作(zuo)(zuo)端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)極(ji)(ji)其重要的(de)一(yi)環,硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)有坑(keng)洞之(zhi)(zhi)別(bie),優劣(lie)之(zhi)(zhi)分(fen)。名(ming)坑(keng)質優之(zhi)(zhi)硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi),加上(shang)制硯(yan)(yan)高手(shou)制作(zuo)(zuo),可(ke)以(yi)(yi)出產精品和珍品。端(duan)(duan)硯(yan)(yan)名(ming)貴(gui)與否(fou),最基本的(de)條(tiao)件在于硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi),故采(cai)(cai)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)這道工(gong)(gong)序極(ji)(ji)為(wei)重要,不(bu)(bu)可(ke)本末倒置。端(duan)(duan)溪(xi)(xi)名(ming)坑(keng),自(zi)古以(yi)(yi)來都以(yi)(yi)手(shou)工(gong)(gong)開采(cai)(cai),勞動(dong)強度大,采(cai)(cai)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)技術高,故有"端(duan)(duan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)斤(jin),價值千金"之(zhi)(zhi)說。 因(yin)端(duan)(duan)溪(xi)(xi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)大多(duo)不(bu)(bu)抗(kang)震(zhen),硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)開采(cai)(cai)至今仍(reng)以(yi)(yi)手(shou)工(gong)(gong)開采(cai)(cai)為(wei)主,不(bu)(bu)能以(yi)(yi)機(ji)械代替。在開采(cai)(cai)硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)中,如看不(bu)(bu)清石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)壁,看不(bu)(bu)準石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)脈(mo),就會浪費好硯(yan)(yan)材(cai)。特(te)別(bie)是(shi)(shi)老坑(keng)、麻子坑(keng)和坑(keng)仔巖,有時可(ke)能整(zheng)壁石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)都不(bu)(bu)成材(cai)(石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)工(gong)(gong)謂之(zhi)(zhi)斷(duan)脈(mo),即(ji)斷(duan)層),就得(de)將它一(yi)塊(kuai)塊(kuai)地鑿下(xia)來,再(zai)根據石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)脈(mo)的(de)走向尋(xun)找石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)源。石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)脈(mo)(石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)層)的(de)走向一(yi)般(ban)是(shi)(shi)斜(xie)向下(xia)方(fang),有時也會曲折蛇(she)行,甚至要挖(wa)到深層才能找到。因(yin)此(ci)采(cai)(cai)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)工(gong)(gong)必須掌握硯(yan)(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)生長的(de)規律,順其自(zi)然,按部就班,從接(jie)縫(feng)處下(xia)鑿,盡量(liang)保住硯(yan)(yan)材(cai)的(de)完整(zheng)。
采石(shi)工(gong)人所使用(yong)的工(gong)具要因地制(zhi)宜,以鑿為主。這些刀具長短有異,大小不一,粗細不同,但每個石(shi)工(gong)必(bi)備三四十把(ba),每天工(gong)作后都要修(xiu)理或磨礪(li),所謂"工(gong)欲善其事,必(bi)先利(li)其器"是(shi)也。
制璞(pu)(pu)維料(liao)又(you)稱(cheng)選料(liao)制璞(pu)(pu)。開采出來的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)并不(bu)是(shi)全部都(dou)可(ke)以作(zuo)硯(yan)材,須經(jing)過(guo)篩選后,再(zai)將(jiang)其分(fen)別等(deng)級(ji)。特別好的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de),純凈無瑕(xia)者(zhe)(zhe)為(wei)特級(ji),稍(shao)次者(zhe)(zhe)為(wei)甲級(ji),再(zai)次者(zhe)(zhe)為(wei)乙級(ji)。將(jiang)有(you)瑕(xia)疵的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de),有(you)裂痕的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de),或爛(lan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)、石(shi)(shi)(shi)皮、頂板底板……統(tong)統(tong)去掉(diao),剩下(xia)(xia)"石(shi)(shi)(shi)肉"。這個過(guo)程首(shou)先要懂得(de)看(kan)(kan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)。憑實踐(jian)經(jing)驗,內行(xing)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)維料(liao)石(shi)(shi)(shi)工能(neng)夠"看(kan)(kan)穿石(shi)(shi)(shi)",可(ke)以預測(ce)到表層看(kan)(kan)不(bu)到的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)品花紋(wen)(wen),如(ru)硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)側面發(fa)現有(you)石(shi)(shi)(shi)眼(yan)般的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)綠點,或綠色的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)翡翠(cui)帶,那么鑿(zao)下(xia)(xia)去可(ke)能(neng)有(you)石(shi)(shi)(shi)眼(yan)出現;硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)兩側如(ru)果微呈白色,或白色的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)外圍有(you)火捺包(bao)著,則可(ke)能(neng)隱藏(zang)魚腦凍(dong)或蕉葉(xie)白。硯(yan)工還要根據硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)天(tian)然形(xing)狀用錘或鑿(zao)制成天(tian)然形(xing)、蛋形(xing)、長方形(xing)、方形(xing)、圓形(xing)、金(jin)鐘(zhong)形(xing)、蘭亭(ting)式、太史式……等(deng)硯(yan)形(xing)硯(yan)式的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)硯(yan)璞(pu)(pu)。制璞(pu)(pu)者(zhe)(zhe)同樣必(bi)須懂得(de)看(kan)(kan)石(shi)(shi)(shi),因(yin)為(wei)要將(jiang)硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)最好的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)地(di)方留作(zuo)墨堂。一(yi)方端硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)質的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)優劣(lie)都(dou)以墨堂之(zhi)硯(yan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)作(zuo)評價,鑒賞石(shi)(shi)(shi)品花紋(wen)(wen)亦放在墨堂之(zhi)部分(fen)(石(shi)(shi)(shi)眼(yan)除(chu)外)。
設(she)計(ji)的(de)目的(de)是將硯(yan)石(shi)中的(de)瑕疵變成無瑕,以達到(dao)錦上添花的(de)目的(de),增(zeng)加其藝(yi)(yi)術(shu)(shu)價(jia)值,硯(yan)的(de)設(she)計(ji)要(yao)求"因(yin)石(shi)構圖,因(yin)材施藝(yi)(yi)",除了(le)傳統硯(yan)形(xing)硯(yan)式外,還要(yao)充(chong)分利用天然(ran)石(shi)皮,匯(hui)集文(wen)學、歷(li)史、繪(hui)畫(hua)、書法(fa)、金石(shi)于一(yi)(yi)體(ti),可以說是將硯(yan)升華為(wei)一(yi)(yi)種綜合(he)性藝(yi)(yi)術(shu)(shu)品的(de)重要(yao)環節。2、開(kai)璞:硯(yan)石(shi)在礦(kuang)坑開(kai)采后(hou),去掉"石(shi)皮",保留"石(shi)肉",然(ran)后(hou)按質分組的(de)一(yi)(yi)道重要(yao)的(de)工序。
端(duan)硯(yan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)雕(diao)(diao)刻(ke)(ke)是端(duan)硯(yan)制作過程中(zhong)極其重要的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)工(gong)序。要使一(yi)塊天然樸(pu)實的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)硯(yan)石,成為一(yi)件精美的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)工(gong)藝品,就需要創作設計和(he)雕(diao)(diao)刻(ke)(ke)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)過程。這個過程處理得當(dang)是錦上添花,處理不當(dang)就會(hui)畫蛇添足甚至(zhi)弄巧成拙。故(gu)雕(diao)(diao)刻(ke)(ke)藝人要對硯(yan)璞(pu)因材施藝,因石構(gou)(gou)圖,還(huan)要根據硯(yan)璞(pu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)石質,去粗存精,認真構(gou)(gou)思(si),并考慮(lv)題材、立意、構(gou)(gou)圖、形(xing)制以及雕(diao)(diao)刻(ke)(ke)技法(fa)如刀(dao)法(fa)、刀(dao)路。雕(diao)(diao)刻(ke)(ke)端(duan)硯(yan)要線條清晰,玲瓏浮凸(tu),一(yi)目了然。端(duan)硯(yan)雕(diao)(diao)刻(ke)(ke)主要有(you)深(shen)刀(dao)(高深(shen)雕(diao)(diao))與(yu)淺(qian)刀(dao)(低(di)浮雕(diao)(diao))雕(diao)(diao)刻(ke)(ke),還(huan)有(you)細刻(ke)(ke)、線刻(ke)(ke),適(shi)當(dang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)通(tong)雕(diao)(diao)(鏤空)。
采(cai)用什(shen)么雕(diao)(diao)刻(ke)技法(fa)和(he)刀(dao)法(fa),要(yao)視題材和(he)硯形、硯式而定。如(ru)要(yao)表(biao)現剛健豪放的(de)(de)多采(cai)取(qu)以深刀(dao)雕(diao)(diao)刻(ke)為主,適(shi)當穿插淺(qian)刀(dao)雕(diao)(diao)刻(ke)和(he)細(xi)(xi)刻(ke);要(yao)表(biao)現精(jing)致古樸、細(xi)(xi)膩含(han)蓄的(de)(de),則以淺(qian)刀(dao)雕(diao)(diao)刻(ke)、線刻(ke)、細(xi)(xi)刻(ke)為主。總之(zhi),細(xi)(xi)刻(ke)和(he)線刻(ke)均屬"工精(jing)藝巧"之(zhi)"工精(jing)"部分。細(xi)(xi)刻(ke)要(yao)求雕(diao)(diao)刻(ke)精(jing)細(xi)(xi),準確(que),生動;線刻(ke)則要(yao)線條細(xi)(xi)膩、流暢,繁而不亂,繁簡得當。
端硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)雕刻完畢,必須配上(shang)名(ming)(ming)(ming)貴(gui)的(de)木(mu)盒(he)。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)起著(zhu)防塵和保(bao)護(hu)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石的(de)作(zuo)用(yong),同時,硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)本身也是一件藝術品、裝飾品。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)的(de)用(yong)料很講究(jiu),名(ming)(ming)(ming)貴(gui)的(de)用(yong)紫檀、酸枝(zhi)、楠木(mu)等硬木(mu)。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)的(de)造型(xing)一般按硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石形(xing)(xing)狀(zhuang)而定。自端硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)問世以來,其盒(he)底部都(dou)有"四腳",雜形(xing)(xing)和天然(ran)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)的(de)"腳"稱"豹腳",長方形(xing)(xing)硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)的(de)"四腳"則要與(yu)盒(he)形(xing)(xing)的(de)四角線條相(xiang)吻合(he),成為(wei)直角形(xing)(xing)的(de)"腳"。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)之(zhi)(zhi)腳除了(le)起裝飾作(zuo)用(yong)外,更重(zhong)要是從實用(yong)去(qu)考慮(lv),使移動端硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)或洗滌(di)(di)時方便。硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)與(yu)盒(he)必須吻合(he),同時要考慮(lv)到木(mu)盒(he)的(de)干濕(shi)度,可(ke)能(neng)會整體收縮,硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)盒(he)本身要稍比硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石四周寬些,以便于硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)石取出洗滌(di)(di)。總之(zhi)(zhi)配上(shang)盒(he)子,能(neng)使端硯(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)顯得更加(jia)古樸凝重(zhong),更加(jia)名(ming)(ming)(ming)貴(gui)。
硯石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)磨(mo)(mo)光(guang)的(de)(de)(de)工序一(yi)般放(fang)在配盒(he)之后(hou)。首先用油石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)加(jia)幼河砂粗磨(mo)(mo),目(mu)的(de)(de)(de)磨(mo)(mo)去(qu)鑿口(kou)、刀(dao)路,然后(hou)再(zai)用滑(hua)(hua)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)、幼砂紙,最好是一(yi)千目(mu)的(de)(de)(de)水(shui)磨(mo)(mo)砂紙反復(fu)磨(mo)(mo)滑(hua)(hua),使(shi)硯臺手感(gan)光(guang)滑(hua)(hua)為止。最后(hou)是"浸(jin)墨(mo)潤(run)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)",過一(yi)兩天后(hou)褪(tun)墨(mo)處理(li)。硯石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)磨(mo)(mo)光(guang)的(de)(de)(de)好壞,直接(jie)影響硯石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)(de)品質及(ji)使(shi)用的(de)(de)(de)效果(guo)。人(ren)們(men)在選擇端硯的(de)(de)(de)時(shi)候,除了以水(shui)濕石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)察看石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)色,鑒(jian)賞石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)質和石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)品花紋外,還常用手按摸硯堂(所謂手感(gan)),看是否細膩,潤(run)滑(hua)(hua),這一(yi)切都(dou)與(yu)硯石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)(de)磨(mo)(mo)光(guang)有直接(jie)關系。
廣東(dong)肇慶市生產的(de)端(duan)硯(yan),既(ji)保持(chi)了(le)傳統(tong)工藝(yi)的(de)傳統(tong)文化特(te)色和地方特(te)色,同時在造型、構圖(tu)(tu)、題(ti)材、立意上又有新(xin)的(de)突破,創造了(le)端(duan)硯(yan)實(shi)用之(zhi)外的(de)新(xin)藝(yi)術意境,如(ru)端(duan)州(zhou)古(gu)(gu)邵圖(tu)(tu)大端(duan)硯(yan),巧妙地將古(gu)(gu)端(duan)州(zhou)縮龍成寸,又如(ru)仙境立體雕(diao)刻(ke)大端(duan)硯(yan),把端(duan)硯(yan)雕(diao)刻(ke)成立體的(de)一(yi)(yi)(yi)條鱷魚(yu)、一(yi)(yi)(yi)只鳴(ming)蟬(chan)、一(yi)(yi)(yi)堆瓜果、一(yi)(yi)(yi)群仙人,并巧妙地將硯(yan)池收藏其中,看似雕(diao)塑、古(gu)(gu)董(dong),但(dan)又可磨墨揮毫,令人嘆為觀(guan)止。
端硯具有很高的藝(yi)術價(jia)值(zhi)、收藏價(jia)值(zhi)和人(ren)文價(jia)值(zhi),在新的歷史(shi)條件下,機械生產沖(chong)擊著手工端硯制(zhi)作,傳統記憶的傳承方式導致工匠后繼乏人(ren),只有認真解決(jue)了這些(xie)問題,才(cai)能切實保護和延續傳統端硯制(zhi)作技藝(yi)。