Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Guangzhou – Renowned for its Exquisite Craftsmanship

The hall features a symmetrical layout with its main structure facing south. It has a spacious, square design, covering an area of 8,000 square meters. The architectural complex follows the “three-axial, three-hall, nine-courtyard” structure, consisting of nine halls, six courtyards, ten side rooms, and corridors. The central hall, Ju Xian Hall, was the focal point for gatherings, meetings, and ancestral ceremonies. This hall is particularly grand, with finely carved beams and a central wooden screen known for its delicate craftsmanship. The roof features a 27-meter-long and 4.2-meter-high ceramic ridge, crafted by the famous Shiwan ceramic master Wen Rubi from the Qing dynasty, adding a distinctive touch to the roofline. The white stone terrace in front of the hall is decorated with iron flower patterns embedded in the stone carvings of the railings, showcasing a blend of materials and artistry.

The wood carvings at the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall are among its most prominent features. Wood carving, a traditional craft that flourished during the Ming dynasty, is widely used throughout the hall. The intricately carved screens, doors, beams, and columns are adorned with scenes from historical tales and folklore, making the entire structure a visual storytelling masterpiece. Most of the woodwork utilizes relief carving and openwork techniques, creating depth and intricacy in the designs.

One of the standout pieces is a carving that depicts the scene from The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, where the warlords Xu Huang and Xu Chu engage in a fierce competition on Copper Sparrow Terrace, while Cao Cao watches. The detailed depiction of the scene and the lifelike expressions of the characters are a testament to the skill of the artisans.

The stone carvings at the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall primarily use granite, a durable material resistant to moisture and decay, making it suitable for areas exposed to the elements. Granite carvings can be found in various architectural elements such as drum stones, stone lions, terraces, foundations, column bases, arches, stairs, railings, and beam brackets. The light gray tone of the granite contrasts with the darker tones of the brick and wood, adding depth to the building’s visual structure.

A notable example of this craftsmanship is the terrace in front of Ju Xian Hall, which represents the pinnacle of Lingnan stone carving. The terrace railings are intricately carved with birds, flowers, and fruit, utilizing a combination of sculpting techniques such as round carving, high relief, bas-relief, openwork carving, and incised carving. The railings are adorned with representations of Southern Chinese fruits like pineapples, starfruit, peaches, and Buddha’s hands, symbolizing the Chen family’s respect for their ancestors and devotion to spiritual rituals.

Brick carving is another prominent decorative art at the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall. It is primarily used on the exterior walls, parapets, and eaves. The six large brick carvings on the front outer wall are particularly impressive. Made from finely crafted Dongguan blue bricks, these pieces are among the largest of their kind from that era.

Two notable carvings, “The Gathering at Liangshan” and “Liu Qing Captures the Wolf Horse,” are each 1.75 meters tall and 3.6 meters wide. The remaining four carvings, “Hundred Birds,” “The Five Confucian Relationships,” “Phoenix and Parasol Trees,” and “Sparrow with Pine Tree,” are also masterpieces. Each of these detailed scenes is framed by poems in various calligraphic styles, combining literature, art, and craftsmanship in a rare and beautiful form. These carvings illustrate cultural values, folklore, and nature, further enhancing the architectural and artistic significance of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall.

Stucco is a traditional architectural decoration widely used in the Pearl River Delta, including at the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall. Craftsmen use lime as the primary material, mixed with fermented rice straw or paper, to create a durable plaster known as “grass-straw stucco” or “paper-straw stucco.” These materials are then molded into various decorative forms directly on-site. Typically, the structure is first shaped using grass-straw stucco, followed by the finer details sculpted with paper-straw stucco. Once partially dry, vibrant colors are applied.

At the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, stucco decorations cover an impressive 2,562 meters in length and approximately 2,448 square meters in area, primarily used on ridges, gable walls, roof corners, corridor roofs, side rooms, and courtyard corridors. This extensive use of stucco makes it the largest display of such craftsmanship in the Lingnan region.

The ceramic ridge decorations at the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, known as “flower ridges,” are crafted from pottery clay and then kiln-fired. These ornate pieces, popular in the Lingnan region, were primarily used to adorn temples, ancestral halls, and guildhalls, showcasing the rich folk-art traditions of southern China. The ridge decorations at the hall were made by renowned workshops, including Wen Rubi, Bao Yurong, Mei Yucheng, and Wu Qiyu, reflecting the economic strength of the Chen family at the time.

The most significant example is the ridge on Ju Xian Hall, which spans 27 meters in length, 2.9 meters in height, and reaches a total height of 4.26 meters, including its stucco base. This ridge features a staggering 224 ceramic figures, making it the largest ceramic sculpture on the premises.

The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall also serves as the Guangdong Folk Art Museum. It regularly hosts various exhibitions within its halls, featuring traditional Guangdong craftsmanship such as “Guangdong Traditional Carving Art,” “Ivory Carving Art,” and “Guangdong Embroidery.” The museum also exhibits collections of Shiwan pottery, colored ceramics, Chaozhou lacquered wood carvings, Cantonese embroidery, and etched glass, preserving the region’s rich folk-art heritage for modern audiences to appreciate.