The sculptures and carvings in the Lin Family Mansion and Garden are exquisite, refined, and splendid. Numerous classical architectural woodcarving, stone carving, and brick carving pieces are masterpieces here.

The carved pieces follow the styles of Fujian and Guangdong provinces. The theme of the ornaments varies widely and can be categorized into people, plants, flowers and birds, utensils, pictures, and words. Themes that correspond to good luck and fortune, cultivation and refrains, and once-popular styles are all included.

Carving methods can be classified into freestanding, openwork, relief, and thread carvings. The common materials are wood, stone, and brick carvings. Visitors can appreciate the beauty of all three types of carvings in the Lin Family Mansion and Garden.

Freestanding Carving

Also called “three-dimensional carving,” is independent and does not adhere to its background. Three-dimensional pieces are set for people to appreciate from every single angle, for example, “stone lions” and “dragon poles,” etc.

▌Openwork Carving

Also called “leakage carving,” is another three-dimensional carving with two sides penetrating. The vacant areas ventilate and allow the sunlight to get through. These carving are mainly used on windows, for example, “dragon and tiger windows” and “personage windows,” etc.

▌Relief Carving

Relief carving is one-sided carving with no penetration. It mainly shows the three-dimensional levels and layers of each object.

▌Thread Carving

Thread carving is also called “intaglio carving.” Cove light carvings are applied to show the contour of a figure. It is suitable for all kinds of decorative patterns.