Lacquerware Qīqì 漆器

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Lacquerware Qīqì 漆器

Lacquerware—objects made of wood, metal, versatile, as shown by the wide range of objects included or porcelain to which layers of lacquer have among the wares. been applied—first developed as an art form East Asian lacquer is different from the lacquer that in China and dates from about 1600 bce. forms the basis of some of the varnishes used in the japan- ning (applying varnish to yield a hard, brilliant finish) of Carved lacquer is a uniquely Chinese achieve- European furniture from the sixteenth century onward. ment and is considered lacquer art in its pure Differences exist in chemical composition and sources: form. The English resin lac or shellac comes from a substance deposited on trees by certain species of insects. Two broad categories of lacquer objects exist. In one acquerware refers to wares that are made of wood, category the lacquer has been applied largely to protect metal, or porcelain to which lacquer has been ap- and to decorate. Therefore, the application of lacquer does plied. Lacquer is the resin or sap of the lacquer not change the form of the objects, such as wooden chairs, (rhus verniciflua) or varnish tree, which is native to central that are so decorated. In the second class the objects, such and southern China and perhaps to Japan. When lacquer as containers, are made mostly of leather, supported by is applied to wood, metal, or porcelain, it gives the ware a nonlacquer core. The core can be wood, hemp cloth, or a smooth, hard, transparent, and shiny surface. People metal and is encased in a lacquer coating thick enough to in China and Japan have used true or Far Eastern Asian modify the form of the object. The lacquer coating gives lacquerware since ancient times. the object a fleshy, plump shape that can be decorated by Artists have used the sap of the lacquer tree as a pro- carving or by painting and inlaying. tective and decorative varnish for both art objects and Lacquer objects—including all in the second cate- household objects. Artists apply the lacquer in thin lay- gory and any in the first category in which lacquer forms ers on wooden objects or inlay it on metal objects. The a considerable part of the decoration—are works of art. lacquer, when solidified, also has been used as a medium Lacquer as an art form developed in China and dates for sculpture. Lacquerware, like porcelain, has been much from about 1600 bce during the Shang dynasty (1766– appreciated not only in Asia but also Europe, where peo- 1045 bce). Artists created pictorial or surfaced decoration ple have collected it since the sixteenth and seventeenth and also carved lacquer. The techniques of qiangjin (en- centuries. Many lacquerware items were beautifully dec- graved gold), diaoqi (carved lacquer), and diaotian (filled orated, and many that were household utensils gave dura- in) gradually evolved after the tenth century. Carved lac- ble, waterproof service in households in Asia, where wood quer is a uniquely Chinese achievement and is considered was once plentiful. Wood fashioned into lacquerware was lacquer art in its pure form.

Visitors at the Yangzhou Lacquerware Factory, with some of the factory’s wares displayed along the back wall. Photo by Joan Lebold Cohen.

Range of Objects made in China and other parts of Southeast Asia. The Straits Chinese or Peranakan society in Southeast Asia Lacquerware included objects ranging from containers reproduced lacquered basketry, originally made in China, —such as bowls, cups, vases, coffers, and bamboo to carry special gifts offered to deities in temples or during baskets—to chopsticks, screens, and even suits of leather occasions such as festivals and weddings. Lacquerware armor. The lacquer vases produced in Soochow, China, objects remain important in most Southeast and East resembled fine porcelain with their carvings on wood Asian households, although they tend to be more expen- stained in coral and lacquered. These objects were crafted sive than objects made of plastic or ceramic. for the emperor during the Ch’ien Lung period (1736– OOI Giok-Ling 1796) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1912) and were among the treasures used in the summer palace. Other types of Further Reading lacquerware include Japanese ware of black and gold in- Clifford, D. (1992).Chinese carved lacquer. London: Bam- laid with silver, gold, and mother-of-pearl. Japanese and boo Publishing. Chinese screens of lacquered, gilt, and painted wood are Cocks, A. S. (1980). The Victoria and Albert Museum. Le- familiar not only in Asian institutions and homes today icester, U.K.: Windward. but also in fine art museums. Oftenwell- known artists or Garner, H. M. (1972). Ryukyu lacquer. London: School of copyists paint these screens by hand. Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Modern lacquerware from Korea and Japan is highly Watt, J. C., & Ford, B. B. (1991). East Asian lacquer. New finished in appearance when compared with lacquerware York: Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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