Zhejiang Ningbo Golden Painted Lacquer Ware

Ningbo is often referred to as the “Home of Culture” due to its rich artistic heritage. Located to the South of Yangtze River Delta, Ningbo is one of China’s major ports for foreign trade. It’s stunning variety of traditional arts and crafts have been transported throughout the world with great success.

Ningbo golden painted lacquer ware consists of Chinese raw lacquer and gold foil. There are three different procedures which can be used in Ningbo lacquer ware. Duini involves creating lacquer mud through mixing raw lacquer with tile-ash. The object is first covered in basic lacquer. Different patterns are then painted on the body with the lacquer mud through stack carving. Gold foil or paintings are then added to the patterns.

Lifen refers to the technique which uses a paste mixture and glue water to form three dimensional patterns on the body of the lacquered object. The two ingredients are placed in a tube with a closed bottom and small hole on the top to control the shape of the patterns. Gold foil is placed on the raised images before the glue is dried.

Nijin is mainly used for decoration rather than as a lacquer. Gold pigments are placed on the carved patterns of the lacquer ware. The gold pigments are made from gold powder, glue and lacquer.

The three main carving techniques used to create exquisite and detailed designs on the gold painted lacquer ware are embossed pattern, flush pattern and sunk pattern. Each technique has adopted the local Ningbo style with variations depending on the craftsman.

Ningbo golden lacquer techniques are used to create many products including folding screens, trunks, cabinets, sculptures of legendary characters and historic figures, Buddha figures, animal sculptures and coloured lamps.

The history of using gold within lacquer ware can be traced back to the Neolithic Period (10000-2000 BC) where a vermillion painted bowl was found at the seven thousand year old Hemudu Cultural Ruins.

Ningbo golden painted lacquer ware continues to be popular within China and overseas. Its elegant designs and artistic techniques have elevated this traditional folk craft to become one of the most famous lacquer wares in China.