Chinese Lacquerware: A Millennium-Old Craft and Oriental Aesthetic Treasure

In the thousands-of-year history of Chinese craftsmanship, lacquerware shines like a warm and bright pearl, embodying the wisdom of ancient ancestors and the aesthetic charm of the East. Having stood the test of time, it is more than just a utensil; it is an artistic carrier that deeply integrates materials, craftsmanship, and Culture. From the elegant artifacts on the desks of nobles to the daily utensils of ordinary people, lacquerware, in its diverse forms, engraves the cultural marks of different eras and becomes a timeless cultural symbol.

The history of lacquerware dates back to the Neolithic Age, more than 7,000 years ago. In 1978, a red lacquered wooden bowl unearthed at the Hemudu Site in Yuyao, Zhejiang Province, is the earliest known lacquerware in China. The remaining red lacquer layer on the bowl, though eroded by thousands of years, still maintains a calm luster, witnessing the origin of Chinese lacquerware craftsmanship. Early lacquerware focused on practicality, mostly with wooden bodies coated with natural raw lacquer, used for holding food and ritual vessels. With the development of social productivity, lacquerware craftsmanship gradually matured during the Shang and Zhou dynasties, with decorative techniques such as carving and inlay appearing, and the shapes of utensils becoming more exquisite, becoming a symbol of the status and position of nobles.

Raw lacquer is the soul of lacquerware, a natural resin extracted from lacquer trees, also known as “Chinese lacquer”. Lacquer trees grow in the warm areas of southern China. From tapping to processing into usable lacquer, it requires multiple processes and has a low yield, hence the saying “a catty of lacquer from a hundred miles and a thousand cuts”. Natural raw lacquer not only has a warm luster but also possesses waterproof, anti-corrosive, and wear-resistant properties. It can also blend with various materials such as metal, jade, and shells, providing unlimited possibilities for craftsmanship innovation. It is this natural gift that endows Chinese lacquerware with a unique texture distinct from other crafts. Touching the surface of lacquerware, it feels as smooth as skin and as warm as jade, fully reflecting the introversion and elegance of Eastern aesthetics.

Chinese lacquerware craftsmanship is extensive and profound. After inheritance and innovation through dynasties, it has formed various schools and techniques with distinct characteristics. The Han Dynasty was a golden age for lacquerware development, with craftsmanship becoming complete. Techniques such as piled lacquer, incised gold, and gold painting emerged, and the types of utensils covered tableware, musical instruments, weapons, etc. The lacquerware unearthed from the Mawangdui Han Tombs in Changsha is particularly representative, with bright colors and complex patterns, fully demonstrating the magnificent demeanor and aesthetic pursuit of the Han Dynasty. Tang Dynasty lacquerware integrated Western cultural elements, with full and magnificent shapes and bright and rich colors. The mother-of-pearl inlay craftsmanship reached its peak, and the inlaid shells reflected colorful luster under light, like a bright galaxy, showing the openness and inclusiveness of the prosperous Tang Dynasty.

Song Dynasty lacquerware pursued an aesthetic style of “simplicity and elegance”, abandoning the grandeur and complexity of the Tang Dynasty, and winning with simple shapes and warm luster. Plain lacquered lacquerware became the mainstream, fully reflecting the indifferent mood of literati and scholars. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, lacquerware craftsmanship reached its peak, integrating the techniques of previous dynasties. New techniques such as cloisonné and inlay of various treasures appeared. Imperial lacquerware workshops gathered skilled craftsmen from all over the country, and the utensils were exquisitely made, combining ornamental and practical functions. They were not only used by the royal family but also given as national gifts to foreign envoys, becoming a medium for cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries.

Today, although Chinese lacquerware is no longer the mainstream of daily utensils, it has gained new vitality through the persistence and innovation of inheritors. From Beijing’s carved lacquerware, Fujian’s bodiless lacquerware, to Sichuan’s polished lacquerware and Shanxi’s Pingyao polished lacquerware, schools from all over the country still adhere to traditional craftsmanship while integrating modern design concepts, making the ancient lacquerware craftsmanship suitable for contemporary living scenarios. Whether it is exquisite lacquerware ornaments, practical Tea sets, or fashionable accessories, they have brought this thousand-year-old craftsmanship back to public view, conveying the unique charm of Eastern aesthetics to the world.

For foreign tourists, understanding Chinese lacquerware means touching the context of Chinese Culture. Each piece of lacquerware condenses the craftsmanship of artisans, and each process carries thousands of years of inheritance. It is not only a work of art but also a vivid testimony to the inclusiveness and vitality of Chinese culture. When you gaze at a piece of lacquerware, its warm luster and exquisite patterns tell the story of Eastern civilization, waiting for you to explore and appreciate.