Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Which materials were used as cores for early Chinese lacquerwork?
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.
Early Chinese lacquerwork was created by applying thin layers of lacquer—the juice of the lac tree—onto a prepared core material. Historically, the primary materials used as cores for these vessels and objects included:
- Wood1
- Bamboo (often in the form of basketwork)1
- Cloth (specifically hemp cloth)1
During the manufacturing process, specialized craftsmen known as sugong were responsible for preparing these bases before the lacquer was applied in successive layers. These core materials allowed for the creation of a wide range of items, from daily utensils like food-serving implements and toiletry boxes to large-scale objects such as coffins and drum stands.1