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Carved lacquer

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

An ornate Chinese lacquer dish from the Ming Dynasty, showcasing traditional carving and design.

Carved lacquer is a very special kind of decorated lacquerware. It comes from China, where people have used lacquer for over 3,000 years!

The idea of carving into thick layers of lacquer began around the 12th century. Making carved lacquer takes a lot of time and work, so it has always been fancy and expensive. It is mostly from China, but people in Japanese lacquer also tried to copy it.

Most carved lacquer pieces we have today are from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The main designs for the carvings started during the Song dynasty. These designs include special patterns, people in landscapes, and pictures of birds and plants.

Objects made from carved lacquer are usually small and useful, like boxes, plates, and trays. Sometimes, people made special writing tools from carved lacquer. Rich families used these items for special events like weddings or birthdays. Boxes made of lacquer were also used to give or receive special gifts.

Carved lacquer is very important to China's culture. Only a few people know how to make it today, but it is still remembered as a beautiful and special craft.

Images

An intricately carved oval tray made of red lacquer from ancient China, dating back to the Yuan dynasty.
An ornate black and red lacquer cup from China's Southern Song or early Yuan dynasty, featuring intricate sword-pommel designs.
An ancient Chinese lacquer dish from the Yuan dynasty, showcasing intricate sword-pommel patterns.
An ornate Chinese cup stand from the Ming Dynasty, shaped like a lotus blossom and decorated with traditional patterns.
A beautifully carved wooden plate from ancient China, decorated with rose designs.
An intricate black lacquer box from the 13th century, decorated with camellia flowers, showcasing beautiful traditional Chinese craftsmanship.
An ornate wooden tray from ancient China, decorated with plum blossoms, birds, and flowers.
An ornate Chinese lacquer box from the Ming Dynasty, featuring intricate carvings and red lacquer finish.
An ornate Chinese lacquer box from the 1500s, decorated with carved pheasants and peony flowers.
An ornate Ming dynasty dish adorned with a dragon design, showcasing traditional Chinese craftsmanship.
An ornate red lacquer box from China's Qing Dynasty, decorated with the character for 'spring.'
An ornate Chinese lacquer dish from the Ming Dynasty, showcasing intricate sword-pommel pattern carvings.
An elegant Chinese lacquerware table from the Ming Dynasty, showcasing detailed carvings and traditional craftsmanship.

Related articles

Lacquerware
Song dynasty

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Carved lacquer, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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