Chinese Lacquerware

Box with a Dragon among Clouds, Ming dynasty, Xuande era (1426–35)

Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 9
January 2, 2023 (Mon) - April 2, 2023 (Sun)

Lacquer is the sap of the lacquer tree, which grows in East and Southeast Asia. Naturally sticky, it can be brushed onto different materials, and it hardens into a durable coating that is waterproof and resistant to acids, alkalis, and heat. The history of lacquerware in China dates back to the Neolithic period (ca. 10,000–2100 BC). Over the millennia, a number of decorative techniques evolved in China, including lacquer relief carving and lacquer with incised lines filled with gold leaf. Chinese lacquerware frequently feature abstract spiral patterns (called “pommel scrolls”) or pictorial scenes of landscapes, flowers, birds, pavilions, and people.

Major Work(s) on Exhibit 3 results

	Designation	Name	Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance	Period	Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number	CMT
Highlight		Box with a Scene of the Orchid Pavilion Gathering	China	Ming dynasty, 15th–16th century	TH-462
		Box with Pommel Scrolls	China	Yuan dynasty, 14th century	TH-50
Highlight		Box with a Dragon among Clouds	China	Ming dynasty, Xuande era (1426–35)	TH-402

Exhibitions

Exhibitions and Events