The long history of Chinese culture has produced a great number of original and distinctive artistic styles. One of these is “Cinnabar Lacquerware”. Quickly recognised by its distinctive red colour and sometimes referred to as “China Red”. This treatment has been used artistically in China for over 1000 years.
Lacquerware refers to any facade which has been coated with lacquer, resulting in a hard, durable surface. The natural source of lacquer is a tree, the Lac, or, varnish tree, the sap of which is collected in the same manner as rubber tree sap; small cuts made into the trunk of the tree and the sap collected. The name “Cinnabar”, however, is derived from a natural red mineral pigment which is blended with the Lac tree sap after which a rich red lacquer is produced.
The initial stage in the production of cinnabar lacquer ware begins with the first coat of red lacquer; this first coat can be the first of literally hundreds of coats to follow. Each coat is given time to dry before the next, until the desired thickness of red lacquer is achieved.
The second stage in this long process is the deeply carved ornate decoration. This is left to the hands of a highly skilled carver, who, with razor sharp carving tools begins the slow process of intricately carving the now hard layer of red lacquer.
The Antique & Vintage Table Lamp Co currently include in their collection, a fine pair of 19th century Chinese cinnabar table lamps.