Chinese Lacquerware: The Art of Diaoqi and Living Craft Traditions

Chinese lacquerware is one of the oldest and most technically sophisticated craft traditions in the world. Lacquer — a natural resin harvested from the lacquer tree (Rhus verniciflua) — is applied in multiple layers to wood, cloth, or metal objects, creating a surface of extraordinary durability, depth, and beauty.

The Lacquer Process

Lacquer is harvested by tapping the bark of the lacquer tree, which produces a milky-white sap that darkens to black upon exposure to air. The sap is applied in thin layers, each dried and polished before the next is applied. A single piece may require dozens of layers over months or years.

Carved Lacquer

The most spectacular form is carved lacquer (雕漆, diaoqi), in which multiple layers of colored lacquer are built up, then carved through the layers to reveal the colors beneath. Each color requires a separate layer, making carved lacquer among the most labor-intensive of all Chinese crafts.