Britannica
Sources used in this answer
What kinds of objects were decorated with lacquer during the Shang dynasty?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
lacquerwork
Imperial Chinese throne of the Qianlong emperor (reigned 1735–96), red lacquer carved in dragons and floral scrolls, Qing dynasty; in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
During the Shang dynasty, the Chinese utilized the juice of the lac tree to create hard, lightweight vessels by applying thin layers of lacquer over cores made of carved wood, bamboo, or cloth.1
Archaeological findings from Shang tombs indicate that a variety of objects were decorated with lacquer, including:
- Coffins1
- Chariots1
- Furniture1
Additionally, lacquer was used as an adhesive to secure inlays of shell and colored stone onto these items. By applying pigments—most commonly red and black—to the lacquer, artisans were also able to paint and decorate the outer surfaces of these vessels.1