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Culture - Cinnabar
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Chinese lacquer has a long history. As early as the New Stone Age, wares coated with black and red lacquers appeared in China. From the Shang dynasty to the Han, colorful painting, gold inlaying and other techniques were introduced into making lacquer ware. The oldest lacquer ware discovered may date back to the Warring State Period (403--221 BC) when lacquer ware was popular.
Chinese lacquer is a natural varnish made from the sap of the lacquer tree. Exposed to air, it forms a plastic like coat, resistant to water and acid or alkaline corrosion. To make lacquer ware, a base coat is applied to a core material, followed by extremely thin layers of the finest lacquer. Then another layer is added upon after it dried to make it strong and light, while the lacquer ware looks elegant in appearance and harmonious in color. As many as 100 to 150 coats may be used on some pieces to achieve the desired thickness. Each layer must dry before the next can be applied. It might take up to 4 months to make a single piece. After the desired thickness reached, skilled artists carves with extreme care to create various three-dimensional designs. Only the most skilled carvers are allowed to work on important pieces, as a single slip of the knife can ruin weeks months of preparation work. In the Tang, Song and Yuan dynasties, lacquer ware production step into floruit.
Chinese lacquer ware is native Beijing Product. Because its rich red color it was be loved by royal emperor for centuries.
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