Essence of Chinese Lacquerware

Author: Huang Diqi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-07-01
Features: Lacquer craft, from the day it was born, is an art that combines practicality with aesthetics, a crystallization of material civilization and spiritual culture. In the early Neolithic Age, people applied lacquer liquid to wooden and ceramic wares, which held great practical value. It was easy to clean, had no odor, and possessed acid, heat, wear, and moisture-resistant properties, making the objects lightweight yet durable. At the same time, it had high aesthetic value. It not only had an attractive luster but also made the objects vibrant and colorful, creating a sense of visual pleasure. Thus, the emergence of lacquerware brought convenience to people's lives and spiritual beauty, making human life more wonderful. It was a major advancement in the history of human civilization. The world's earliest lacquerware was discovered in China. In 1974, archaeologists unearthed a red lacquered wooden bowl from the third cultural layer of the Hemudu site in Yuyao, Zhejiang, dating back approximately 7,000 years. This is currently the world's earliest known lacquerware, proving that lacquerware originated in China and represents a significant contribution of China to humanity. The world has never forgotten this great invention of China. Dr. Nishi Nagahashi, the president of the World Lacquer Culture Conference, said: "Lacquerware possesses its own unique depth, stability, harmony, and elegance. Its charm that captivates and fascinates has endured for thousands of years without fading. Today, it has attracted global attention and appreciation, being hailed as the 'Mystery of the East.'"