Chinese Cinnabar Lacquer Vase, Small

Mid 20th Century/China

Carved lacquer ware, often colloquially called cinnabar lacquer, has a long and storied history in East Asian craftsmanship, particularly in China. Artisans would apply dozens or even hundreds of thin layers of colored lacquer over a core of wood, metal, or papier-mâché, allowing each layer to cure before carving intricate floral, figural, or landscape motifs into the built-up surface.

While traditional pieces executed in pure cinnabar-pigmented tree sap required months of meticulous labor, mid-20th-century production often utilized synthetic resins or molded compounds over a wooden base to supply international export markets. These decorative containers, frequently fashioned into auspicious shapes such as peaches symbolizing longevity, remained popular decorative accents in Western homes throughout the post-war decades.