Beijing gold inlaid lacquer ware combines the intricate skills of carving, filling, whetting, inlaying and painting. It features a gold lacquered surface inlaid with various gems and other exotic materials.
Gold inlaid lacquer ware has a prominent three thousand year old history. It was first introduced to Beijing in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and flourished in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) Dynasties. During the Ming Dynasty, the imperial palace was decorated with gold inlaid lacquer ware. Qing emperors also favoured the designs and styles of Beijing gold inlaid lacquer ware and ordered many plates, boxes, tables, beds and other furniture to be created for their personal use.
The wooden surface used for Beijing gold inlaid lacquer ware is lacquered with a gold glaze. The lacquer ware is then inlaid with different materials including bone, jade, gold and silver fillings. Engravings, gold tracing and pattern drawings are also used to create amazing patterns and designs.
The two main techniques used to produce stunning decorations and designs on Beijing gold inlaid lacquer ware are gold engraving and fill-in techniques. Gold engraving involves applying an adhesive of lacquer to fine lines incised on the lacquered surface. Gold foil or powdered gold is then pressed into the grooves where the lacquer is placed. Fill-in techniques involve another coloured lacquer being inlaid over the original lacquer. The first method of fill-in decorations involves inlaying the gold lacquer into carvings cut into the hardened lacquer. The other method requires the craftsman to apply many layers of thin lacquer to build up a pattern in certain areas. The rest of the lacquer ware is then filled with gold lacquer. The object is polished down to reveal the colour variations.
Beijing gold inlaid lacquer ware is one of the exquisite treasures of Beijing and is regarded as a magnificent Chinese folk art. It can be viewed in many museums around the world and is included in many prestigious art collections.
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