Cixi craftsman carves new life into tiny fruit pits

Zodiac-themed pit carvings created by Gong Rongfu. [Photo/IC]

A tiny peach pit, a delicate carving knife, and years of dedication can transform an ordinary pit into a miniature work of art. In Cixi, a county-level city of Ningbo, Zhejiang province, intangible cultural heritage inheritor Gong Rongfu has devoted decades of his life to peach-pit carving, keeping the traditional craft alive through his skill and creativity.

Born in 1963, Gong is a representative inheritor of Cixi's peach-pit carving heritage. He learned the craft from his father, who in turn learned it from Gong's grandfather. For more than 20 years, Gong has practiced pit carving and won several provincial and municipal arts and crafts awards.

At the Gong-style Pit Carving Art Museum, visitors can admire an impressive collection of intricate works, from auspicious toads and mythical beasts to twin dragons playing with a pearl. Other pieces depict the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, the iconic Red Boat of Nanhu, and detailed landscapes and figures.

Gong rarely needs elaborate sketches. With the work's composition already in his mind, he begins with a few simple lines before moving through shaping, polishing, fine carving, and oiling.

For Gong, the peach pit is more than just a material — it is a tiny canvas where traditional culture, craftsmanship, and imagination come together.

Gong Rongfu works on a piece. [Photo/IC]