Carved lacquer ware was developed during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) in the south of China. It originated from the provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan where it gained wide spread attention during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) with many craftsmen choosing carved lacquer ware as their specialized trade.
It wasn’t until the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) that carved lacquer ware was introduced to Beijing. Many skilled craftsmen specializing in carved lacquer ware migrated to Beijing when it was proclaimed the capital of China. Their skills developed within the capital and Beijing carved lacquer ware became a treasured style of the popular craft.
During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the first carved lacquer ware workshop was opened in Beijing. Known as “The Orchard Factory”, its main role was to create furniture for the imperial palaces within Beijing. In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), an imperial workshop was established to keep up with the demand of furniture needed for the Forbidden City. In 1904, the first commercial workshop specializing in Beijing carved lacquer ware was established by Xiao Le’an and Li Maolong. It was known as “Ji Gu Zhai” which symbolizes the inherent legacies of ancient carved lacquer ware workshops.
The production of Beijing carved lacquer ware began to decrease at the end of Qing Dynasty with a shortage of skilled craftsmen threatening the continuation of the unique craft. It was neglected for many years until the formation of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.
The Beijing government organized a Beijing carved lacquer factory to be opened by the heirs of Xiao Le’an and Li Maolong who were also skilled craftsmen. This factory continues to produce high quality lacquer ware in all its magnificent forms.
One authentic piece of Beijing carved lacquer ware usually takes between six and eight months to finish. Several to hundreds of layers of lacquer are painted onto a wooden or bronze mold. The lacquer should be between fifteen to twenty-five millimeters thick. A design is then carved out from the body of the lacquer. The lacquer ware is finished once it has been polished over with another layer of protective lacquer.
The most famous of Beijing carved lacquer ware is cinnabar lacquer ware.
Affectionately known as China red, it is considered to be the must have souvenir of Beijing. The various reddish colours produced by the cinnabar powder attract the eye of many art collectors.
Using cinnabar to change the colour of the lacquer became popular within the Ming Dynasty. It also experienced notoriety during the Qing Dynasty with many cinnabar lacquered jewelry boxes and vases made within this era.
The crushed paste of the mineral cinnabar is mixed with the sap from a lac tree to produce the red pigment. Cinnabar is scientifically known as red mercury sulfide and is the common ore of mercury. It is currently found near volcanoes and hot springs. Cinnabar is concentrated within Guizhou which has a high mercury presence.
There are many carved designs etched on Beijing carved lacquer ware including mountains, rivers, flowers, historical figures and legendary characters and creatures. Carving is the main technique during the lacquer ware process and requires a delicate touch and the utmost skill and patience to produce realistic and vivid images.
True cinnabar mineral is rarely used anymore due to the harmful mercury within the powder. However, a substitute dye is now used to imitate the exact reddish colours seen within cinnabar lacquer making the exquisite crafts available to all. Although true cinnabar lacquer is no longer used, this form of lacquered art is still highly demanded throughout the world.
Today, Beijing carved lacquer ware is in high demand, however, there are only twenty skilled craftsmen left within Beijing. The government is currently working on an initiative to encourage young craftsmen to learn the techniques to create beautiful and detailed Beijing carved lacquer ware. Beijing carved lacquer ware would make a wonderful addition to any home.
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