Lacquerware

Lacquerware are beautiful objects that are covered with a special shiny coating called lacquer. These objects can be small like cups or large like furniture. Before putting on the lacquer, people sometimes paint pictures on the object, add shiny pieces of shell, or even carve designs into it. Sometimes, the lacquer is sprinkled with gold or silver dust to make it even more special, like in the style called Hirameji.

Many countries in East Asia, such as China, Japan, and Korea, have long traditions of making lacquerware that go back thousands of years. The most famous type of lacquer comes from the sap of a tree called Toxicodendron vernicifluum. Other plants and insects are also used to make different kinds of lacquer. People in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Americas also have their own ancient ways of making lacquerware. While true lacquer only comes from Asia, some other methods, like Japanning in Europe, are sometimes called lacquer too.

East Asia

The oldest lacquer tree found is from the Jōmon period in Japan, 12600 years ago. The oldest lacquerware in the world, burial ornaments which were created in 9th millennium B.C., were unearthed in early Jomon period tombs, at the Kakinoshima site in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan. Various prehistoric lacquerwares have been unearthed in China dating back to the Neolithic period.

During the Shang dynasty (ca. 1600–1046 BC) of China, sophisticated lacquer process techniques developed became a highly artistic craft. During the Eastern Zhou period (771–256 BC), lacquerware began appearing in large quantity. This is the earliest era from which notable quantities of lacquerware have survived, with the kingdom of Chu producing the largest number of lacquerware.

In the Tang dynasty (618–907), Chinese lacquerware saw a new style marked by the use of sheets of gold or silver made in various shapes, such as birds, animals, and flowers.

The knowledge of the Chinese methods of the lacquer process spread from China during the Han, Tang and Song dynasties, eventually it was introduced to Korea, Japan. In Japan, the art of lacquerware-making came along with Buddhism and other cultural artifacts from China via the Korean Peninsula during the 8th century, and carved lacquerware came to Japan from Ming dynasty China during the 14th century.

Chinese lacquerware

See also: Carved lacquer

See also: Coromandel lacquer

During the Shang dynasty (ca. 1600–1046 BC) of China, sophisticated lacquer process techniques developed became a highly artistic craft. During the Eastern Zhou period (771–256 BC), lacquerware began appearing in large quantity.

In the Tang dynasty (618–907), Chinese lacquerware saw a new style marked by the use of sheets of gold or silver.

The art of inlaid gold, silver, and mother-of-pearl continued from the Tang into the Song dynasty (960–1279).

Japanese lacquerware

Main article: Japanese lacquerware

The term for lacquer is urushi (漆), source of the English hybrid word "urushiol". The general characteristic of Japanese lacquerware is the widespread use of various Maki-e techniques compared to other countries.

Primitive lacquer was used in Japan as early as 12,600 BC, during the Jōmon period. Lacquer was used in Japan as early as 7000 BCE, during the Jōmon period.

During the Asuka and Nara periods, between the 7th and 8th centuries, Chinese lacquer art forms were imported to Japan. In the Heian period (794–1185), various Maki-e techniques characteristic of Japanese lacquerware were developed.

In the Edo period (1603–1868) saw an increase in the focused cultivation of lacquer trees and the development of the techniques used.

Ryukyuan lacquerware

Main article: Ryukyuan lacquerware

Ryukyuan lacquerware is one of the chief artistic products of the Ryukyu Islands (today Okinawa Prefecture of Japan); it is quite distinct from the lacquerware found among the surrounding cultures. Nevertheless, Chinese and Japanese influences are present.

Korean lacquerware

Main article: Najeonchilgi

The very term 'Najeonchilgi' is a combination of two particular words: 'najeon’– mother-of-pearl and ‘chilgi’ which refers to lacquerware. ‘najeon’ refers to the composite material which forms the inner shiny shell layer. The Three Kingdom period (57 B.C. – 668 A.D.) witnessed the introduction of the first method and the second one was introduced during the Shilla period (668–935 A.D.). The Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), considered the golden period of this craft, was influenced by Buddhism.

Southeast Asia

Burmese lacquerware

Yun-de is lacquerware in Burmese, and the art is called Pan yun. The lacquer comes from the sap of the varnish tree, or Thitsee, which grows in the forests of Myanmar. This sap is straw-colored but turns black when exposed to air. When applied, it creates a hard, glossy surface that resists moisture and heat.

Lacquer items such as bowls, boxes, and trays are made using bamboo strips mixed with horsehair for the base. The lacquer is mixed with ashes or sawdust to form a putty-like substance. Layers of this mixture are applied to create a smooth surface, which is then polished and engraved with colorful designs. Some pieces use gold leaf to fill in the designs. Popular themes include palace scenes, tales from the Jataka, and signs of the Burmese Zodiac. These items are handmade, often taking several months to complete, and are the result of teamwork.

Vietnamese lacquer painting and lacquerware

Sơn mài is a painting style in Vietnam that began with artists in Hanoi in the 1930s. The Ecole des Beaux Arts in Hanoi started a lacquer department in 1934, leading to the development of new techniques such as using crushed eggshell and painting over gold and tin foil. These innovations helped turn lacquerware into a respected art form.

After Vietnam’s reunification, lacquerware nearly disappeared, but the government began supporting it again in the 1980s. This support led to a revival, and today, Vietnam produces many beautiful lacquerware items.

South Asia

Main articles: Shellac and Lac (resin)

In India, people have used a substance called shellac for a very long time. Shellac comes from a tiny bug called the lac bug. It is used to give wood a nice finish, make beautiful decorated objects, create skin cosmetics, make ornaments, color fabrics, and coat surfaces to protect them. Very old texts from around 1200 BCE to 1000 BCE mention shellac and its many uses.

Americas

The Barniz de Pasto technique comes from Pasto, Colombia and dates back to the Pre-Columbian era. It uses the resin from the Andean mopa-mopa shrub, which is chewed into thin layers and applied to surfaces like wood, metal, clay, or glass using heated stones. Historically, this method was used on wooden drinking vessels.

Mexican lacquerware, known as laca or maque, developed separately from Asian lacquer. In the pre-Hispanic period, a mixture made from aje scale insect larvae and chia seed oil was used to decorate items like dried gourds, especially cups for Mesoamerican nobility. After the Conquest, this technique was used on European-style furniture, with influences from Asian lacquerware brought by the Nao de China. Today, lacquerware workshops are found in places like Olinalá, Uruapan, and Chiapa de Corzo, with small boxes being very popular.

Main article: Mexican lacquerware