Chinese Lacquerware

Timeline

1. c. -1000–-850Zhouyuan · ShaanxiArchaeological finds of vermilion-lacquered wooden objects and lacquer fragments from the mid-Western Zhou show that the royal house and nobles already used lacquering techniques for everyday and ritual wares; lacquerware was used alongside bronzes and jades, reflecting the Zhou characteristic of valuing diverse materials.
2. c. -800–-600State of Chu · HubeiFrom the late Western Zhou to the mid-Spring and Autumn period, the Chu region became a lacquerware production center thanks to its abundant lacquer resources; coating layers increased, black and vermilion color schemes and simple geometric motifs appeared, vessel types expanded to dou, tables, and armrests, and a division of labor in craft emerged.
3. c. -600–-500State of Sui · HubeiTombs of aristocrats such as Marquis Yi of Zeng from the mid-to-late Spring and Autumn period yielded large numbers of exquisite lacquerwares, including lacquered wooden chime-bell stands, lacquer cosmetic boxes, and painted coffins, employing techniques such as gold tracing and mother-of-pearl inlay; lacquerware's status in funeral and banquet ritual rose markedly, representing the highest level of lacquer art before the Eastern Zhou.