The Ancient Craft Brought to Fame by Li Ziqi - A Guide to China's Lacquerware Museums
Introduction
After three years of absence, Li Ziqi made an explosive return to the internet with a new video on lacquer. In her latest video, this Sichuan girl—who epitomizes idyllic Chinese aesthetics—demonstrates her exquisite skills and profound understanding of traditional culture, leading us back into the world of lacquerware. As a pioneer in the cultural realm, Li Ziqi uses her hands and camera to showcase the extraordinary allure of Chinese lacquerware. Today, let us follow her footsteps on a journey through time to explore the museums of Chinese lacquerware.
Zhejiang: The Origin of Lacquerware
Kuahuqiao Site Museum
Address: No. 978, Xianghu Road, Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou City (杭州市萧山区湘湖路978号)
Tickets: Free (Reservation required)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 09:00-17:00
The Kuahuqiao Site Museum is not just the starting point to understand the history of lacquerware, but also bears witness to the excavation of China's earliest lacquerware—a fragmentary bow dated approximately eight thousand years ago. This discovery rewrote the history of lacquerware and earned the title of China's "source of lacquer." Here, you can not only witness the origin of lacquerware but also learn about other cultural and archaeological milestones.
Zhejiang Provincial Museum (Gushan Branch)
Address: No. 25, Gushan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province (浙江省杭州市西湖区孤山路25号)
Tickets: Free
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 09:00-17:00
The Gushan Branch is renowned for its extensive collection of ancient lacquerware. The donation of 168 ancient lacquer pieces by Mr. and Mrs. Chao Chi-yong from Hong Kong has elevated the collection's prominence both domestically and internationally. The exhibition "Splendid Array - A Collection of Ancient Lacquerware" is an excellent venue to understand the lacquerware craft from the Song and Yuan dynasties onwards.
Hubei: The Glory of Chu Lacquerware
Hubei Provincial Museum
Address: No. 160, Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan City (武汉市武昌区东湖路160号)
Tickets: Free (Reservation required)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 08:30-17:30
Chu state's lacquerware techniques were highly advanced, and the Hubei Provincial Museum houses many exquisite pieces of Chu-style lacquerware. Among these, the "Painted Picture of Figures Riding a Cart" is China's earliest surviving handscroll comic, depicting scenes from daily life during the Warring States period. The lacquerware here, with its superb craftsmanship and rich cultural connotations, leaves visitors in awe.
Shaanxi: The Heritage of Chang'an Lacquer Art
Shaanxi History Museum
Address: No. 91, Xiaozhai East Road, Yanta District, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province (陕西省西安市雁塔区小寨东路91号)
Tickets: Free (Reservation required)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 08:30-18:00
The Shaanxi History Museum is famous for its abundant collection of lacquerware. From the Warring States period, Chang'an was known as a lacquerware production hub. The lacquerware here, featuring techniques like gold and silver inlay and "baibaoqian" (inlaying precious materials), showcases the opulence and refinement of Tang dynasty lacquerware.
Fujian: The Lightness of Sculptured Lacquerware
Fujian Provincial Shen Shaoan Lacquer Art Museum
Address: No. 34, Zhuzifang, Gulou District, Fuzhou City (福建省福州市鼓楼区朱紫坊34号)
Tickets: Free
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 09:00-17:00
Fuzhou lacquerware began in the Southern Song dynasty, while the development of sculptured lacquerware flourished in the Qianlong period of the Qing dynasty. The Shen Shaoan Lacquer Art Museum showcases the lightness and elegance of Fuzhou's sculptured lacquerware, allowing you to appreciate another form of lacquer beauty.
Conclusion
Chinese lacquerware is not only a craft but also a testament to history. From the Kuahuqiao site in Zhejiang to the Chu lacquerware in Hubei, from the Chang'an lacquer art in Shaanxi to the sculptured lacquerware in Fujian, each piece carries a slice of history and tells a story. Following the footsteps of Li Ziqi, let's explore these museums to delve into the allure of lacquerware and experience a journey through the craftsmanship of millennia.