How far did Han dynasty lacquerware travel beyond China?

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During the Han dynasty, Chinese lacquerware traveled significantly beyond the borders of China, reaching distant regions through trade, colonial expansion, and diplomatic contact. Archaeological evidence confirms that these high-quality goods were transported as far afield as northern Mongolia and Afghanistan.1

Furthermore, pieces of Han lacquerware have been discovered in the tombs of Chinese colonists located in Lelang (modern-day Nangnang) in North Korea. These findings include notable items such as a basket decorated with animated figures of paragons and a tray featuring a painting of Xiwangmu, the Queen Mother of the West. The widespread distribution of these objects highlights the reach of Han-era craftsmanship and the influence of the empire's regional outposts and trade networks.12