Time Woven in Stone

This series of table lamps draws from the rich cultural heritage of Northeast China, blending the primal strength of Liaoning’s intangible heritage “Warring States Red,” the rhythmic aesthetics of Manchu embroidery, and the oceanic imagery of Dalian shell carving. Warring States Red embodies the earth’s ancient history, Manchu embroidery encapsulates the aesthetic wisdom of the ethnic group, and shell carving echoes the natural gifts of the Bohai Bay. Together, they weave a cultural narrative spanning mountains and seas, using contemporary design to revive endangered traditional crafts through light and shadow.
Using “hollowed-out deconstruction” as the core technique, the flowing cloud patterns and intricate floral motifs of Manchu embroidery are transformed into the geometric structure of the lampshade. When light passes through the intricately carved shell panels, it projects delicate, embroidery-like patterns on the wall, turning intangible cultural heritage from static objects into immersive, dynamic experiences.
Adhering to a “zero-waste” philosophy: the Warring States Red base retains the natural texture of raw stone, minimizing artificial polishing; the lampshade is made from lab-grown, biodegradable bioplastic derived from cornstarch; the lamp post incorporates recycled shell powder from Dalian’s coastline, utilizing micro-carving to maximize the use of residual materials. The product lifecycle forms a closed loop, returning to nature.
The light settings of the three lamps create a narrative sequence of “hidden, revealed, and blooming”: the left lamp in its off state emphasizes the raw texture of materials, the middle lamp in half-bright mode showcases the interplay of light and structure, and the right lamp in full brightness elevates from material to poetic expression, symbolizing the three states of civilization through time—sedimentation, transition, and flourishing.
The ruggedness of Warring States Red contrasts with the delicacy of shell carving, while the sturdy stone base complements the soft glow of the translucent lampshade, reflecting the Manchu philosophy of balancing strength and gentleness. The synergy of natural and eco-friendly synthetic materials reimagines the relationship between tradition and the future.