Antique-style lacquer furniture is crafted based on the styles of the Ming and Qing dynasties, primarily using traditional techniques such as lacquering and decorative painting. Daily maintenance requires avoiding high temperatures, protecting from sunlight, and periodically applying clear lacquer. Its production inherits traditional crafts such as carved and gilded inlays and jade stone inlays, while also attempting to integrate modern design concepts. This type of furniture originated from painted lacquer beds of the Warring States period, developed into mainstream forms such as lacquer desks and tables in the Han dynasty, and saw the emergence of gold-lacquer inlay techniques in the Tang dynasty. The craft reached its peak during the Ming and Qing periods, forming a design system combining rounded and curved lines, and differentiated into seven major categories including beds, couches, screens, and tables. Modern production, while preserving handcrafted techniques, gradually explores industrial methods such as mechanised finishing and the use of synthetic coatings, and experiments with partial lacquering in combination with materials like bamboo, wood, and metal.
The development of lacquer art is based on the inventions, creations and explorations of generations of artisans. With continuous technological advancements, increasing diversity of forms, and improving quality, its influence has expanded continuously, thus accumulating a rich historical and cultural heritage. The beauty of lacquer art is a comprehensive product of materials, techniques, art and culture, and in the new historical period, lacquer art is radiating new brilliance. As part of a society's material culture, furniture reflects the economic and cultural development of an era, a country or a nation, showcasing the historical characteristics and cultural traditions of that time and place. The flourishing of ancient Chinese lacquer furniture was fundamentally due to the support and attention it received from the authorities, which in turn attracted societal interest. As early as the Warring States period, the production and crafting of lacquer furniture were managed by dedicated officials; by the Han dynasty, there were specialised administrative institutions, and by the Tang dynasty, lacquerware had been included as part of taxation. From the Tang to the Qing dynasty, the official emphasis on the design and production of lacquerware grew, naturally fostering the rapid development of lacquer furniture craftsmanship among the populace, as artisans competed in skill. Consequently, the development of Chinese lacquer furniture reached unprecedented heights in both craftsmanship and design.
The quality of furniture maintenance during use greatly affects its ability to beautify a room. For furniture that has been in use for ten or twenty years, if well maintained, particularly the surface lacquer, it can remain shiny and harmonious in colour as if new. So, how should furniture lacquer be cared for? In the daily use of furniture, attention must be given to the following:1. Avoid placing furniture near stoves, radiators, or other heaters, and do not expose it to hot objects such as boiling kettles, as high temperatures can cause cracking and peeling of the lacquer.2. Furniture should not be placed in direct sunlight; if near a window, ensure curtains are drawn to block sunlight and prevent fading or premature ageing of the lacquer.3. Regularly wipe the surface lacquer with a soft cloth to remove dust and stains, and periodically polish with car wax or floor wax.4. Never wash the furniture surface with alkaline or boiling water, and avoid contact with high concentrations of alcohol or solvent, which can damage the lacquer.5. Protect the surface from hard impacts and scratches; avoid using the tabletop for photocopying or writing, and never cut food on it.6. Try to prevent the surface from prolonged exposure to liquids; if contact occurs, wipe immediately and dry thoroughly. Stains should be removed using a mild soapy solution.7. If there is a glass tabletop, place a cotton cloth underneath. Do not place paper or plastic directly on the surface, as this will reduce air flow and may cause it to stick to the lacquer over time.8. Every few years, it is advisable to apply a layer of clear water-based varnish to keep the furniture lacquer looking new and durable.
Classical Lacquer Furniture Lacquer art has a long history in furniture making. In the genealogy of classical Chinese furniture, lacquer furniture has always represented the highest level of craftsmanship and was exclusively used and treasured by the imperial palace and high-ranking officials. Surviving furniture from the Ming and Qing dynasties shows a wide variety of lacquer furniture, including beds and couches, tables and desks, chairs and stools, cabinets and chests, screens and small tables, stands, and folding screens. The artistic techniques are diverse and colourful, such as jade inlay, gold lacquer painting, carved gold filling, and grey carving with coloured lacquer, demonstrating the exquisite skills of lacquer craftsmanship and reflecting the wisdom of ordinary people in ancient times. The earliest existing Chinese lacquer furniture, unearthed from Changtaiguan in Xinyang, Henan, dates back to the Warring States period, including a painted lacquer bed, along with lacquer tables and small tables. In the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng in Suixian, Hubei, Warring States lacquer furniture was also found, including small tables, tables, and painted lacquer clothes chests. By the Han dynasty, painted lacquer became a primary feature of wooden furniture, such as lacquer tables unearthed from the Mawangdui Han tombs in Changsha and tables from Han tombs in Luoyang, Huchang in Yangzhou, and Laoshan in Beijing. During the Tang dynasty, gilded lacquer inlay, mother-of-pearl inlay, and painted lacquer techniques were widely applied to furniture. After Zheng He's voyages to the West during the Ming dynasty, with the development of overseas trade, hardwoods such as rosewood were imported from Southeast Asia and the South Seas in large quantities, and hard wood furniture gradually replaced lacquer furniture as the dominant style. Although lacquer furniture became less common, its variety of patterns and artistic styles became richer. The Ming and Qing periods represent the peak of classical Chinese furniture. During this period, lacquer furniture focused on functionality and form, often combining round, curved, and arched lines. In terms of style, it moved away from overly ornate designs and used lacquer decoration, carving, painting, and inlay techniques, forming the unique characteristics of Ming and Qing lacquer furniture.
Development of Modern Lacquer FurnitureCompared with other ancient artefacts, lacquerware has several excellent characteristics:Firstly, inclusiveness: it can be applied to objects made of wood, bamboo, leather, pottery, metal, jade, glass, and fabric;Secondly, practicality: applying lacquer to the surface of objects forms a hard film once dried, which is highly durable, resistant to strong acids and corrosive damage, and also offers moisture-proof, moth-proof, and corrosion-resistant protection for the base material;Thirdly, decorative appeal: it can be combined with modern lifestyle needs and personalised to embellish various objects.Incorporating popular and fashionable elements into lacquer art provides more market potential to explore and utilise. Moreover, the combination of lacquer art with other materials can produce unexpected effects. Hence, there are still many development opportunities in lacquer art itself that we have either not realised or have not acted upon.There are very few domestic manufacturers producing lacquer furniture in China. Even those that exist mostly imitate the styles of Ming and Qing dynasty furniture, with limited decorative techniques and a lack of innovative design. Although the overall impression is rustic and elegant, with very fine details, it is increasingly distant from modern furniture standards. Most produced lacquerware still constitutes household items and decorative crafts, lacking lacquer furniture products that integrate seamlessly with modern life and exhibit contemporary style. Therefore, the development of modern lacquer furniture represents a very good opportunity, with promising market prospects and potential for growth. Modern lacquer furniture should be developed in a variety of styles and designs, retaining the traditional charm of lacquer art while incorporating contemporary design concepts and mechanised production methods, thereby combining artistry with technology, craftsmanship with practicality, to suit different consumer groups and raise awareness of lacquer furniture.Furniture is closely linked to human life and has a market that never fades. Bamboo, wood, and metal have always been the main materials for furniture, and lacquer craftsmanship has a historical tradition of combining with bamboo, wood, and metal crafts. Thus, developing new forms that integrate lacquer craftsmanship with bamboo, wood, and metal is another approach. This integrated, marginal new form can involve minimal or partial lacquer application, utilise various techniques, not only altering the conventional patterns of lacquer but also reducing costs, enriching furniture designs, enhancing cultural value, and innovating traditional lacquer art, while adapting to the modern mass market. Modern lacquer art can retain traditional handcrafting while developing mechanised, semi-mechanised, sprayed, and mass-produced lacquer furniture, gradually establishing a path of modern industrial design. Beneficial developments can be made in lacquer preparation (including synthetic coatings), base production (including plastic and base material techniques), finishing (including spraying), and polishing (including machine polishing and hand finishing). We are gradually moving in this direction and have made a good start, but further practice is needed to summarise experiences, embrace modern design concepts, and pursue the path of industrial design.
In summary, the art of lacquerware is an ancient art form that occupies an unshakable place among various traditional arts. However, it is now generally associated with antiques and collectibles. For traditional lacquer art to progress steadily and keep pace with the times, it must develop in a diversified manner. To transition the ancient lacquer art into modern furniture design, it is necessary to combine tradition with modernity to express international design concepts. As traditional lacquer furniture is mostly simple, dignified, elegant, and stable, in modern homes its colours and shapes may seem somewhat heavy and conservative. Therefore, in home design, modern lacquer furniture and utensils are more popular. Thus, according to the modern development of Chinese furniture, the development and design of modern lacquer furniture involves combining international design concepts with classical Eastern aesthetics, making lacquer furniture a fusion of classical, eco-friendly, and fashionable trends. Development of Modern Lacquer FurnitureContemporary Chinese lacquer art has become detached from people's daily lives, and lacquerware is rarely seen in everyday use, causing the art to gradually drift away from the public and leading to a decline and contraction in the lacquer industry. Therefore, our understanding of lacquer art should not only focus on its direct economic value, but must also emphasise its cultural and industrial value. At the same time, with the rapid development of China's economy and the increase in consumer purchasing power, the demand for high-quality furniture has risen, and the development of modern lacquer furniture holds even greater significance in the information age. Firstly, defining the brand positioning, product positioning, target market, and consumer profile of lacquer furniture. Secondly, the design and development of lacquer furniture products. Thirdly, the trial production and manufacturing of lacquer furniture. Finally, the sales of lacquer furniture.
