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Box with Peonies Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Yongle period (1403–24) 15th century China Carved red lacquer H. (6.4 cm); Diam. (15.9 cm)

Box with Peach Blossom Grotto Yuan (1271–1368)–early Ming (1368–1644) dynasty late 14th–mid 15th century China Black lacquer with mother-of-pearl inlay H. (7.6 cm).jpg

Box with Pommel Scroll Design Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) late 13th–14th century ChinaCarved red and black lacquer H.(3.8 cm); Diam. (12.7 cm)

Dish with “Pommel Scroll” China H: (3.5 cm) L (24.1 cm)Design Yuan dynasty (1271–1368)14th century

Dish with Character for Longevity (Shou) Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Jiajing mark and period (1522–66) Carved red lacquer (17.1 cm)

Dish with Dragon Ming dynasty (1368–1644)Carved red lacquer, Wanli Diam. (15.9 cm)

Dish with Dragon Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Wanli period (1573–1620), 1595 China Red lacquer with incised decoration inlaid with gold, black, and green Diam.15.9 cm.jpg

Dish with the Three Friends of Winter Ming dynasty (1368–1644) 16th–17th century China Carved brown lacquer 16.2 cm)

Dish with Two Boys Ming dynasty (1368–1644) 16th century China Black lacquer with mother-of-pearl inlay H. (1.9 cm)

Lobed Box Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) 14th century China Black lacquer and mother-of-pearl and pewter-wire inlaysH. (17.8 cm)

Oval Dish with Immortals Playing Weiqi Early Ming dynasty (1368–1644) late 14th century China Carved red and green lacquer L. (23.5 cm)

Jewel Box Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong period (1736–95) China Lacquer, brass Total height: (26.8 cm)

Lozenge-Shaped Dish with Figures in a Landscape Ming dynasty (1368–1644) late 14th–early 15th century China Carved red lacquer L. (20 cm

Set of four saucers Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong period (1736–95) China Cinnabar lacquer 16.8 cm)

Lozenge-Shaped Tray Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) 14th century China Brown lacquer L. (33 cm)

Tiered Box with Figures in a Landscape Qing dynasty (1644–1911)18th century ChinaCarved red lacquer H. (7.6 cm)

Tea-Bowl Stand with Phoenixes Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Yongle period (1403–24) China Carved red lacquer H.(7.6 cm)

Sutra Box with Dragon Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Yongle period (1403–24) China Red lacquer with incised decoration and gilding; damascened-brass lock and key H. (14 cm); L. (40.6 cm)

Octagonal Dish with Flowering Plum and Birds Yuan (1271–1368)–early Ming (1368–1644) dynasty 14th century China Black lacquer with mother-of-pearl inlay Diam.(29.5 cm)

Octagonal Tray with Eighteen Scholars of the Tang Ming dynasty (1368–1644) 15th century China Black lacquer with mother-of-pearl inlay H. (4.1 cm); Diam. (28.9 cm);

Platter with Scenes of Children at Play Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) 14th century China Carved red lacquer Diam. (55.6 cm)

Round Dish with Birds and Hollyhock Yuan (1271–1368)–early Ming (1368–1644) dynasty 14th century China Carved red lacquer Diam. (32.4 cm)

Pair of Dishes with Scenes from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms Yuan (1271–1368)–Ming (1368–1644) dynasty late 14th century ChinaCarved red and black lacquer Diam.15.2 cm

Ritual Food Container with Cover (Dui) Eastern Zhou dynasty (770–256 B.C.)ca. 4th century B.C. China Bronze inlaid with composition of bone black and lacquer H. (13.7 cm)

Lacquer, made from the resin of a family of trees (Rhus verniciflua) native to East Asia, is an amazing material. When tapped from the tree, it is white or light gray and has a consistency similar to that of molasses. When exposed to oxygen and humidity, lacquer polymerizes, or hardens, into a natural plastic that is resistant to water, certain acids, and heat, rendering it an ideal protective covering for objects made of wood and, occasionally, metal.

Produced largely in the south, lacquer has been used in China since at least the sixth century B.C. on serving vessels, boxes, and other containers. When mixed with pigments, particularly red (cinnabar) and black (carbon), lacquer is also used for painting. Historical records indicate that Chinese lacquer was imported into the area near present-day Samarkand as early as the twelfth century, and it is documented in Japanese collections as early as the fourteenth. Lacquers served as diplomatic gifts and luxurious trade goods, and they have been an integral part of the Japanese tea ceremony for centuries.

Organized in celebration of three spectacular gifts to the Museum, this small exhibition explores techniques and themes in Chinese lacquer from the thirteenth to the sixteenth century, a high point in the development of this uniquely Asian artistic tradition. Some works illustrate the carved-lacquer technique, in which multiple layers of lacquer—as many as two hundred—are incised deeply with lush geometric or figural patterns, or scenes of figures in landscapes. Other objects demonstrate related techniques whereby shallower incisions are inlaid with gold, pigment, or minute pieces of mother-of-pearl to create equally ornate surface decoration.

Lacquer ware shares the rich visual language found in ceramics, textiles, and paintings, including figural scenes based on Chinese literature and history; mythical creatures such as dragons and phoenixes; birds and other animals; and flowers and plants. Most of these motifs are imbued with meanings, usually auspicious, derived from longstanding cultural traditions. For example, the peony alludes to spring and denotes wealth, while the chrysanthemum symbolizes autumn and longevity. Both flowers frequently are grouped with others, generally lotus and plum, to define the four seasons. Other motifs, such as the Asian flycatcher (shoudainiao), a bird seen often in early carved lacquers, can serve as rebuses emblematic of good wishes. In this instance, shoudainiao can be a proxy for the notion of enduring generations, for the first character of its name, shou, is a homonym for longevity; the second, dai, for generations.

Sound: Peter Kater and Nawang Khechog - Touch of an Angel

Text and pictures: Metropolitan Museum

Copyright: All the images belong to their authors

Arangement: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Peter Kater and Nawang Khechog