‘嵌金’ (qiànjīn) is a compound term describing the traditional Chinese decorative craft technique of inlaying thin gold wires or sheets into grooves carved into a harder surface—commonly wood, lacquer, bronze, or ivory—to create elegant patterns or inscriptions. The first character 嵌 (qiàn) means ‘to inlay’ or ‘to set into’, while 金 (jīn) means ‘gold’. Together, they literally mean ‘gold-inlaid’ and function as a noun naming the technique itself or as an adjective describing objects made using it.

This term appears frequently in art history, antique descriptions, and museum contexts—especially when discussing imperial-era furniture, ritual bronzes, or scholar’s objects like inkstones or brush holders. Though historically associated with luxury and refinement, ‘嵌金’ is not used for everyday items; it signals craftsmanship, age, and cultural value. It is often paired with nouns like ‘工艺’ (craftsmanship), ‘装饰’ (decoration), or ‘纹样’ (pattern), and rarely stands alone without a noun it modifies.