You Won’t Believe These Are All Part of China’s Cultural Heritage! (part-1)
Chinese Lacquer
If you’re a fan of Li Ziqi, you’ve probably seen her 2024 comeback video. The craft of that wardrobe, which sparkles like moonlight, took her months to complete – and that is the magic of lacquer.
Lacquer, also known as natural lacquer, raw lacquer, or China lacquer, is a natural resin coating made by tapping the lacquer tree. When the bark is cut, a sticky white sap flows out. After processing, this sap becomes the lacquer we use.
The use of natural lacquer in China dates back over 7,000 years. Lacquer has remarkable properties such as corrosion resistance, high durability, moisture resistance, insulation, high-temperature resistance, and resistance to soil degradation. The properties of natural lacquer depend on factors like the species of lacquer tree, climate (whether it’s a "sun" or "shade" region), and the soil conditions.
The process of making lacquerware includes several steps: creating the base, applying cloth layers, scraping, applying lacquer, decorating with patterns, and polishing. Sanding and drying in the shade are crucial at every stage, requiring immense patience from the artisan.
Unlike modern synthetic coatings, which can be harmful due to air pollution, lacquer is non-toxic once dried and safe to use. Lacquerware also has the benefits of being smooth, shiny, durable, resistant to insects, and able to withstand wear and high temperatures. Its strong bond with wood makes it perfect for lasting, beautiful creations.
The lacquerware uncovered in southern China’s waterlogged tombs is often as glossy and pristine as the day it was made, proving that lacquer is more resilient than any synthetic material. Due to its incredible resistance to corrosion, lacquer is also widely used in industries such as chemicals, petroleum, machinery, shipbuilding, and light industry.
The disadvantages of lacquer are: uncured lacquer is highly likely to cause allergies, and lacquer that has been fired is sensitive to ultraviolet rays. It’s important to keep lacquerware away from prolonged sun exposure and store it in a cool, dark place to preserve its beauty.
Luo Dian Inlay
‘Luo’ refers to the general term for sea snail shells, while ‘Dian’ refers to the process of inlaying decorative elements. It refers to the technique of using shells, particularly the luminous sea snail (also known as the moon snail), to create thin slices shaped into figures, flowers, birds, geometric patterns, or characters, which are then inlaid onto the surface of objects for decorative purposes.
This craft originated during the Shang Dynasty. In the early 1980s, Chinese archaeologists discovered numerous Western Zhou inlaid shell lacquerware from the Yan state tombs at Liulihe. One piece of lacquerware, with its painted beast-faced phoenix design, used the shell inlay technique, making it one of the earliest known examples of shell inlaid lacquerware in the world.
By the Tang Dynasty, the shell inlay technique had become quite refined in China, especially in the creation of copper mirrors with lacquer backs, which became a highlight of this period. The Ming Dynasty marked a period of growth and prosperity for ancient lacquerware, with both thick and thin shell inlays coexisting in production. The Qing Dynasty saw the peak of shell inlay craftsmanship in furniture, which was highly favored by the imperial court.
After the founding of the People's Republic, archaeologists discovered shell inlaid lacquered copper mirrors in Tang tombs in Henan and Luoyang. These mirrors, with shell inlays on the lacquered back, are exquisitely elegant and hold immense artistic and collectible value.
Burnt Foil (Shāo Bó)
Burnt foil, also known as foil pasting, is a traditional folk craft that originated in southern China, with its history tracing back to the Tang Dynasty. People in that era used metal plates and tin foil to make gold and silver leaf as well as utensils, which laid the foundation for modern burnt foil techniques. Over time, the technique was refined, reaching its peak during the Ming and Qing Dynasties and has been passed down through the generations for over a thousand years.
Burnt foil artwork uses gold, silver, and copper foils as the main materials. The foils are heated to high temperatures and then quickly cooled, adhering to the surface of objects, creating a dazzling, radiant effect. The variations in temperature, timing, and reaction materials lead to different color changes in the foil, resulting in random colors and unique metallic textures, making each piece of burnt foil artwork a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.