The following is a comprehensive analysis of carriage materials, combined with the characteristics of carriages in different historical periods and functional types:
1. Materials of traditional rural carriages
Frame: Mainly made of hardwoods such as oak, elm, and locust wood, because they have straight wood grain and strong compressive strength. A secondary shaft (usually a full-length wood) is nailed to the outside of the shaft to enhance the tensile strength, and secondary components such as planks may be made of wood with lower hardness.
Wheels: The hub is mostly made of elm, the spokes are often made of locust wood or Nanshan elm, and the rims are made of jujube wood. They need to be heated and baked to produce an arc and fixed with iron nails.
2. Materials of Qing Dynasty craft carriages
Main structure: Made of precious wood such as Zambian rosewood, combined with mortise and tenon structure, and with antique copper edging. The wheels are precisely made, with good inertia, and the nails are embedded to imply Feng Shui. This type of carriage pays more attention to decorativeness and symbolic meaning, and is often used in luxury houses.
3. Materials and craftsmanship of Han Dynasty carriage and horse ornaments
Material texture: mainly bronze (copper, tin, lead ternary alloy), supplemented by iron and silver. The surface of the ornaments is mostly made of inlaid gold and silver, gilded, and other techniques, with complex patterns (such as the four gods pattern).
Forming process: including casting, hammering, engraving, etc., and the silver Danglu also uses the high relief "tai, cai, and tuo chisel" techniques.
4. Core principles of material selection
Functionality: The mechanical properties of wood (such as compression and bending resistance) should be given priority for load-bearing carriages, and hardwoods such as oak and elm are the first choice.
Decorativeness: Ceremonial or decorative carriages tend to be made of precious wood (such as red sandalwood) and metal decorations, with higher craftsmanship.
Summary: The materials of carriages vary depending on their use and era, from practical hardwood to luxurious red sandalwood, reflecting the dual considerations of function and aesthetics.
