Origins and Early Development
The art of lacquer painting originated in China thousands of years ago during the Neolithic age (around 7,000 years ago). When cutting down trees, the ancient Chinese people realized that the sap from lacquer trees could be applied to walls, furniture, and other objects, giving birth to primitive lacquer art.
Here is how the technique of lacquered wood carving evolved over time in China:
Origins and Early Development (Neolithic to Han Dynasty)
- Lacquering originated as a way to waterproof and protect wood and bamboo objects in Neolithic times, around 7,000 years ago.[2]
- By the Warring States period (475-221 BCE), more sophisticated lacquering techniques developed, with lacquered vessels becoming prestigious luxury items rivaling bronzes.[2]
- During the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), the state sponsored and supervised lacquerware production. Common motifs included lozenge patterns, monsters, dragons, and geometric shapes imitating bronze designs.[3]
Refinement of Techniques (Tang to Yuan Dynasty)
- In the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), new techniques emerged like layering different colored lacquers and cutting through them to reveal contrasting colors and patterns.[3]
- The guri or “sword pommel” technique of creating schematic scroll designs by cutting through colored layers became popular.[1]
- During the Song (960-1279 CE) and Yuan (1279-1368 CE) dynasties, lacquered wood carvings gained popularity among the imperial court and common people alike for their natural beauty. Statues of deities in temples were also created using this art form.
- By the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368 CE), Chinese artisans mastered incising, engraving, and inlaying gold/silver into thick layers of red or black lacquer to create floral and figurative imagery.[2]
Pictorial Carving (Ming and Qing Dynasties)
- Evidence shows pictorial imagery carved into thick lacquer was established by the mid-14th century, earlier than previously thought.[2]
- Under the Ming Yongle (1403-1424 CE) and Xuande (1426-1435 CE) Emperors, lacquer carving achieved a very high standard.[2]
- Common carved designs included figures in landscapes, birds, plants, religious symbols, auspicious characters, and imperial dragons.[1][2]
- The process involved carving the overall composition first, then main forms, details, and patterned backgrounds in order.[1]
Modern Era
- By the 20th century, there were less than 20 master carvers able to perform the full traditional diaoqi (carved lacquer) process.[1]
- Some modern works use shortcuts like carving the design in wood first, using more lacquer additives, or substituting cast resin.[1]
- The traditional multi-layered carved lacquer technique is extremely labor-intensive, making it a highly prestigious luxury art form today.[1][2][3]
So in summary, lacquered wood carving evolved from simple waterproofing to an extremely refined and prestigious art over centuries, with major developments in pictorial imagery, layering techniques, and intricate carving methods occurring from the Song Dynasty onwards.[1][2][3]
Legacy and Influence
The tradition of Chinese lacquered wood carvings influenced other Asian cultures like Korea, Japan, and the Ryukyu Islands, where similar lacquerware techniques developed.
Lacquered screens, boxes, and other objects became highly sought-after luxury items among European traders during the 17th-19th centuries, leading to the production of export wares like the Coromandel screens.
Today, this ancient art form continues to be practiced by skilled artisans in China, preserving a rich cultural heritage.
Citations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carved_lacquer
[2] http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/east-asian-art/lacquerware.htm
[3] https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1090/chinese-lacquerware/
[4] https://www.livingindesign.com/asian-design-glossary/lacquerware