Lacquer ware refers to the objects decoratively coated with lacquer. It is one of the greatest inventions in Chinese industrial arts industry.
It has a long history in China which can date back to the Xia Dynasty (21st–16th century BC). In the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) lacquer ware was widely used as daily utensils. At that time, black and red were the major colors and the categories were extended to earrings, boxes, stools, etc. During the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties, lacquer ware reached its golden age in the development.
Originally, only wood and bamboo were used as the roughcast base. Later, many other materials were adopted and more exquisite and complex techniques were developed, such as colored pattern, liquid gold gilded decoration and so on.
The process of making lacquer wares is complicated. However, when it is finished, it can resist humidity, high temperature and corrosion.
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