lacquerware
Resin-coated decoratives
Lacquerware is decorative objects—boxes, trays, bowls, furniture—coated with lacquer, a hard glossy finish built up in many thin layers.
The craft originated in East Asia, where artisans apply lacquer derived from tree sap, often adding gold leaf, inlay, or painted designs between coats.
The museum's collection of Japanese lacquerware dates to the Edo period.
Shaping by cutting away
- inlayEmbedded surface ornamentation
- gildingApplying decorative gold coating
- mother-of-pearlIridescent inner shell coating
- etchingAcid-incised metal print
stenciling · layering · sanding · polishing · coating · curing · embossing · incising
Shine or annotation
- sheenSoft surface luster
- lusterSoft reflected light
- polishSmooth by rubbing
- patinaSurface film from aging
satin · matte · gleaming · lustrous · reflective · mirrorlike · buffed · smooth
Elaborately detailed, many parts
- ornateElaborately decorated
- gildedOverlaid with gold leaf
- floralOf or like blooms
- embellishedDecorated or exaggerated
carved · engraved · inlaid · filigree · elaborate · ornamental · patterned · scenic
Able to withstand use
- waterproofImpervious to moisture
- resilientAble to recover quickly
- lustrousSoftly bright, reflective
- lightweightLacking mass or importance
hardwearing · protective · long-lasting · heat-resistant · acid-resistant · smooth · elegant · precious
Concave food container
- boxLidded storage container
- trayShallow portable platform
- chestRibcage region or strongbox
- screenDisplay or barrier
cabinet · vase · table · chair · comb · shrine · altar · tea-caddy
carving
Shaping by cutting away
- inlayEmbedded surface ornamentation
- gildingApplying decorative gold coating
- mother-of-pearlIridescent inner shell coating
etching · stenciling · layering · sanding · polishing · coating · curing · embossing · incising · dusting
gloss
Shine or annotation
patina · satin · matte · gleaming · lustrous · reflective · mirrorlike · buffed · smooth · depth
intricate
Elaborately detailed, many parts
embellished · carved · engraved · inlaid · filigree · elaborate · ornamental · patterned · scenic · pictorial
durable
Able to withstand use
- waterproofImpervious to moisture
- resilientAble to recover quickly
- lustrousSoftly bright, reflective
lightweight · hardwearing · protective · long-lasting · heat-resistant · acid-resistant · smooth · elegant · precious · heirloom
bowl
Concave food container
screen · cabinet · vase · table · chair · comb · shrine · altar · tea-caddy · bento
resin
Viscous plant secretion
fabric · hemp · shell · abalone · cinnabar · charcoal · clay · primer · pigment · oil
japan
Hard decorative varnish
- chinaFine ceramic tableware
- art formspainting, drawing, sculpture, photography, music
- artifactspottery shards, knives, masks, pottery, antiquity
- Chinese cultureConfucianism, Chinese calligraphy, Beijing, Chinese New Year, Daoism
- craftspeoplepotter, weaver, blacksmith, artisan, potters
- Japanese culturesamurai, kabuki, sumo, origami, tea ceremony
- World ArtsAfrican art, Asian art, European art, Indian art, Japanese art
lacquerwareraw wood
Timber without finish
untreated wood · natural wood · terracotta · weathered wood · driftwood
lacquer, ware, wares, lacquered, lacquering, lacquerwork, lacquer-ware