#lacquerware

[designobjectory]

Lacquered Art Deco cabinet

(Lacquered Art Deco style cabinet (commode vantaux))

Jean Dunand

[redscharlach]

Beautiful objects from the exhibition Hyakko: 100+ Makers from Japan at Japan House London. Open until 10 May 2026, free to visit, and recommended if you enjoy gazing in awe at lovely things!

[velvetmasonry]

Korean lacquer boxes from the 12th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century

[blondebrainpowered]

Picnic bento set with tiered food boxes and covered bowls. Japan, Edo period, 19th century

[diemelusine]

Mirror case with portrait of the eunuch Manuchihr Khan Mu`tamid al-Dawla (c. 1847), attributed to Muhammad Isma'il Isfahani. Brooklyn Museum.

[yebreed]

Relic Prohibited From Displaying Abroad: Northern Wei Dynasty Painting

Painted screen covered with vermilion lacquer from the tomb of Sima Jinlong (司馬金龍).

The outlines are finely drawn in black ink. A dazzling riot of colors distinguishes this specimen from those of previous centuries.

The painting illustrates narratives about female virtues and filial piety from Han dynasty Liu Xiang's (劉向) Confucian classic “Biography of Exemplary Women” (列女傳).

The top section from the well-preserved part in the photo depicts Emperor Shun's story of filial piety.

The second represents Three Queens of Zhou dynasty – Tai Jiang, Tai Ren and Tai Shi – exemplary mothers and wives (whose historicity remains in doubt) included in later collections of moral precepts.

The third section portrays Lushi Chunjiang and Chunjiang’s daughter.

The bottom one illustrates the episode when the Consort Ban (班婕妤) refused to accompany the emperor in a palanquin so as not to distract him from the thoughts about the state welfare.

The screen was unearthed in Shijiazhai (石家寨) village, Datong, Shanxi in 1965. It is surprising that many precious artifacts remained in the burial pit, despite repeated plundering. We can chalk it up to the ignorance of the thieves.

The board is 82 cm long, 40 cm wide and 2.5 cm thick. The two pieces of the lacquer-painted screen are connected by mortise and tenon joint.

Due to its exceptional fragility and value, the panel is not allowed to be exhibited abroad. Despite all the museum care, the second part of the diptych is not so well-preserved. The tomb has been repeatedly flooded over the centuries, and the dampness has taken its toll. The vermilion screen is stored in Datong Museum (大同市博物館), Shanxi. The original is rare on display for several days only, the rest of the time it is replaced by a replica. Pictured is the original.

[desimonewayland]

Lacquer Snuff Bottle, Japan, Circa 1840-1880

All decorated with gold takamakie (powder) and nashiji (flakes), a silver inlay sun overlooking the scene and positioned near the neck

height 2.8" — 7 cm.

Waddington McLean & Company Ltd, Toronto

[pedro-friedeberg]

Pipe with pipe case and tobacco pouch by Shibata Zeshin