The Flowing Charm of Charcoal and Cinnabar - The Beauty of Lacquerware in the Chu and Han Dynasties

Thousands of lacquerwares from the Chu and Han dynasties have been unearthed in Hunan, with over 500 pieces excavated from Mawangdui Han tombs alone. These lacquerwares, varying in size and shape, served multiple functions, including daily use, entertainment, and funerary practices. According to applied materials, lacquerers used brushes and oil paint to freely create various patterns, and made use of the characteristics of red lacquer and black lacquer, which were the most durable, contrasting, and elegant, to depict a wide range of romantic lacquer decorations on the lacquerwares. Red and black, as the foundational colors of lacquer painting, have a significant impact on the visually stunning effect of lacquerwares. Behind the gorgeous decorations lie the essence of Chu and Han lacquerwares, representing the immortal soul of a bygone era.