Lacquer Engraving

History of Carved Lacquer

Carved lacquer in China has a very long history of over 1400 years. It started from Tang Dynasty .and because prosperous in Song 、Yuan、Ming and Qing Dynasties. Red lacquer was a particular type of traditional lacquer-ware started in Tang Dynasty and developed in Song Dynasty .Such lacquer-wares are very elegant, and very few are left now. Lacquer-wares from Yuan Dynasty are mostly simple and natural. There were many famous lacquer technicians in Yuan Dynasty Lacquer-wares in Ming Dynasty were especially well-known from those made during Yongle and Xuande periods. There were many lacquer factories in Beijing in Ming Dynasty .gathered best lacquer handicrafts men from all other the country .Therefore the art of lacquer were well-developed in Beijing .Dynasty , lacquer was a very prosperous industry .There was a special division of lacquer-making in the imperial palace of Qing Dynasty . Making lacquer wares especially for royal use .Now, as one of China intangible cultural heritages, and one of the Eight Unique Skill of ancient Beijing .the craft of lacquer carving is well-protected and inherited.

Crafts of Carved Lacquer

The raw material of the lacquer-ware is the lacquer from natural lacquer wood. The craftsman has to make the lacquer-ware body first with wood, bamboo, metal, leather, or bones, then, the body has to be repeatedly painted by lacquer. Every lacquer ware shall be covered by dozens, even over one hundred layers of lacquer with lacquer thickness range from a few mini-meters to dozens of mini-meters. The step is to paint pictures on the lacquer surface which shall be carved later by hand. The styles of carving include red lacquer-carving, black lacquer-carving, red and black carving and colorful carving. After that, the lacquer ware shall be plate . polished and shined which followed by drying and waxing .The whole complicated process will take over 10 days to one month before a elegant lacquer ware finally finished .

Value of Carved Lacquer

1. Art value:

The carved lacquer ware is the representing Chinese traditional handicraft art ware piece , intangible cultural heritage 、It is simple 、 natural 、elegant and unique , Furthermore, lacquer wares are water-proof ,anti-decay, and could stand for high temperature .

2. Enjoyable:

A delicate lacquer ware is really a history-teller with its simple and elegant feature, tender hand-feeling and beautiful shape. You will be impressed and love it.

3. Value of collection:

With the long history and special crafts contained in the lacquer ware. it is definitely a great collection with room for value appreciation .It is true not only for old lacquer wares , but also for current-made lacquer wares as very few people can manipulate the crafts and skills of making them .

4. Usefulness:

 Lacquer wares are popular gifets3for special events, business meetings and conference souvenirs, many people would love to keep them either as decoration or for home-use. 

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