Basic Introduction to Pingyao Polished Lacquerware
Pingyao polished lacquerware originated in Pingyao County, central Shanxi Province (shortened as “Jin”), and is a high-quality lacquered utensil of an artistic nature, disseminated throughout vast regions of the north. It is one of China's four famous types of lacquerware (Beijing – gold lacquer; Fujian – de-coring; Yangzhou – dotted gong; Pingyao – painted), renowned for its palm-polishing and gilding techniques.
Product Characteristics
Pingyao polished lacquerware is divided into practical items (such as lacquer cabinets, chests, side tables, coffee tables) and display items (like screens, lacquer paintings). These have high practical and artistic value, widely favored by the public. The existing varieties mainly include high-end screens, wall-mounted screens, TV cabinets, wardrobes of various sizes, corner cabinets, wine cabinets, display cases, jewelry boxes, etc. They are lustrous, harmoniously toned, and splendid. The technique is also commonly used for decorative purposes in palaces, temples, halls, and study rooms, achieving excellent artistic effects.
Pingyao polished lacquerware is created by applying processed lacquer to wooden furniture and exquisite objects, followed by fine sanding after each coat of lacquer, and then polishing with the hand to produce a sheen. Various techniques are employed to depict landscapes, flowers, birds, pavilions, towers, or human figures, with intricate processes. The appearance is elegant and refined, finely constructed, with a glossy finish. The decorations are resplendent, the feel smooth and silky, and they are heat-resistant, moisture-proof, and durable, making them among the finest of lacquerware.
Historical Folklore
In central Shanxi, there is a well-known saying: “Three treasures of the ancient city of Pingyao: lacquerware, beef, and Chinese yam.” Among these three treasures, lacquerware is listed first. The ancient city of Pingyao is located on the Loess Plateau. Before 2000 BC, during the Neolithic era, this area was covered with extensive forests. A species of tree called the lacquer tree was widespread. The ancients used the sap of the lacquer tree to coat food vessels, seeking brightness, beauty, and durability. Additionally, because lacquer naturally darkens, it was also used for written symbols. 3700 years ago, Yu the Great created sacrificial vessels, coated with lacquer, dyed black outside and red inside, proving that mineral pigments were already being used to create red lacquer coatings at that time.
During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, Pingyao lacquerware had taken initial form. In the Han Dynasty, lacquerware reached a peak. As the power of the Shanxi merchants grew, Pingyao lacquerware was sold as far as Mongolia, Russia, and Southeast Asia.
By the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties period, the technique for Pingyao polished lacquerware had reached a high level. Lacquerware made using this technique was already well known during the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, due to the rise of the Shanxi merchants, polished lacquerware made significant progress and began to be exported to countries such as England and Russia.
Production Method
Pingyao polished lacquerware is renowned for its complex and laborious production process. Just scraping the gray requires five to six times, and each scraping must dry completely before the next can occur. The charm of Pingyao polished lacquerware not only lies in its meticulous craftsmanship but also in the materials used. It uses a natural lacquer material – raw lacquer – obtained from scraping the bark of lacquer trees widely distributed on the Loess Plateau.
Pingyao polished lacquer art has sophisticated and complete techniques. Its production process mainly includes the following steps:
(1) Refining raw lacquer using special formulas, techniques, and facilities;
(2) Preparing varnish with raw lacquer and natural tung oil;
(3) Applying hemp and gray to the wooden base, using raw lacquer gray with cloth, pig blood gray with hemp, and loess glue with paper;
(4) Making lacquer plugs (decorating tools) with human hair and cow tails;
(5) Drying the lacquerware in a specially designed dark room;
(6) Gilding and painting, including flat gilding, black opening, pile-drum varnishing, outlining with gold, gold overlay, and eggshell inlay, traditional techniques;
(7) Sequentially polishing with sandpaper, charcoal, hair, brick dust, and sesame oil to achieve a mirror-like shine;
(8) Decorating with techniques like inlaying, engraving, gold overlay, and gray carving.
Awards and Honors of Pingyao Polished Lacquerware
On May 20, 2006, this technique was included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage lists approved by the State Council.