Pingyao Varnishing Lacquerware

The varnished lacquerwares in Pingyao go back to ancient times. It's said that they originated in the Shang and Zhou Dynasties (about 2000BC), developed in the Tang Dynasty and peaked in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. In the middle period of the Qing Dynasty, the varnished lacquer wares began to be exported to England, Russia and Southeastern Asia. During the Republic of China period, a lacquerware craftsman named Qiao Quanyu assimilated the style of glass painting in south China with improved techniques for manufacturing varnished lacquerware, bringing Pingyao varnished lacquerware into a new stage.

The varnished lacquer wares of Pingyao are made of natural raw lacquer unique to China and varnished using a special hand technique. Then through embedding, sculpting, carving, mosaics and colored painting, the lacquerware is decorated with patterns of mountains and waters, flowers and birds, figures and pavilions. Finally ornaments made of copper are installed, and the varnished lacquer wares are carefully finished. The finished products are simple and elegant. The surface of the lacquer ware is smooth and lustrous. They are resistant to high temperatures, acids and alkali.

The lacquerwares include tables, cabinets, screen walls and lacquer painting. The products are exported as far as West Europe, North America, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia.