Lacquerware of Chu State was second to none in China at that time, both in color and shape. At present, the most lacquerware unearthed in China is mainly concentrated in Hubei and Guangdong, and Hubei is the best lacquerware in the Warring States period. Then what is lacquerware? What are the characteristics of lacquerware in Chu State?
Style of lacquerware (photo by the author)
1. What is lacquerware? When it comes to lacquerware in China, most people may associate it with modern decorations. In Jianghan Plain in 1960s and 1970s, you can also find several pieces of lacquer furniture and daily necessities.
Lacquerware unearthed in Hubei is mostly raw lacquer or large lacquer. This is completely different from the paint in our daily life. Paint is a typical chemical product in terms of texture, while the raw lacquer used in ancient lacquerware is natural paint.
Daba Mountain, Qinling Mountains, Xuefeng Mountain and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau in China are the main producing areas of natural lacquer. The growth of Rhus verniciflua is mainly in today's subtropical monsoon climate zone, where the annual precipitation is abundant and the climate and temperature are very suitable for the growth of Rhus verniciflua. Therefore, China has always enjoyed the international reputation as the hometown of lacquer trees.
Lacquer/varnish tree
Lacquer of Rhus verniciflua is mostly juice, which is a semi-solid liquid with relatively high density. As for how to use this pigment, the ancients formed their own set of methods. The ancients found that this coating can quickly condense on the surface of objects, forming a thick protective film on objects, which can protect cultural relics and decorate beautifully.
Therefore, smearing these natural lacquerware on utensils became a habit of Chu people, and over time, the ancient lacquerware we saw was formed.
Ancient lacquerware in China (photo by the author)
Scientific research shows that this kind of natural paint has laccase, water and colloid. When it is applied to the surface of the vessel, it can make the vessel stronger and more beautiful. The suitable temperature of this paint film is mostly between 15-30 degrees, and the relative humidity needs to reach nearly 50-70%. The temperature and humidity in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and other places are the most suitable areas.
Every spring is the best time to make lacquerware, and the middle reaches of the Yangtze River are also rich in wood, which is an excellent material for making lacquerware.
Chu Zhuangwang in film and television dramas.
2. What are the characteristics of lacquerware in Chu State? The earliest lacquerware in China appeared in the site of Kuahuqiao in Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou, when a lacquer bow was unearthed in Hangzhou. In the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, the earliest lacquerware came from Shijiahe civilization, about 4500-4000 years ago.
Kuahuqiao Ruins Museum
Lacquerware developed rapidly in Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties, and its uses were gradually extensive. During the Warring States period, with the popularization of ironware and the progress of technology, the aesthetics of princes and nobles began to improve gradually, while lacquerware was favored by princes and nobles.
Among the vassal States, the lacquerware of Chu is the most famous. Among all lacquerware unearthed in China, most lacquerware came from Chu State, that is, today's Hunan and Hubei provinces.
Tens of thousands of pieces of Chu lacquerware were found in the Chu tomb in Jingzhou, such as the famous dragon and phoenix relief, lacquer beans, lacquer wood feathers and so on. , are typical representatives. I found a lot of exquisite lacquerware in Jingzhou Museum, Hubei Museum and Yichang Museum nearby.
Lacquerware of Chu State in Jingzhou Museum (photo by the author)
Chu lacquerware is mainly black and red, and some textures are mainly black with red lines; Others are mainly red with black lines. At the same time, yellow, gold, silver and blue will be used as foil from time to time. These lacquerware skillfully combines the characteristics of black and many colors. Although the colors are very different, you will never feel grandiose and abrupt.
3. What position does lacquerware occupy in the life of Chu people? From the lacquerware unearthed today, it is found that Chu people can not do without lacquerware, whether for daily decoration or three meals a day. The beans and dices you eat are lacquerware, the spoons and shovels you eat are lacquerware, and the water you drink is lacquerware. Even the comb that combs your hair is lacquerware.
It can be said that lacquerware has penetrated into every aspect of Chu people's life. Why do Chu people have a soft spot for lacquerware? First, lacquerware is very practical in daily life, and it is light, waterproof, insect-proof and easy to clean. On the other hand, although lacquerware is expensive, its raw materials are not as complicated as bronzes, so most people can use it.
Lacquerware in the life of Chu people (photo by the author)
In the late Warring States period, with the development of iron smelting, ironware was popularized, which provided a good tool foundation for paint making. From the modeling of lacquerware, the lacquerware of Chu State embodies the romantic nature of Chu people, and the style of lacquerware is not limited by the northern ritual and music system, creating a social atmosphere of advocating freedom. At the same time, because Chu is good at witchcraft, funeral objects with witchcraft culture can be seen in lacquerware, which gives the viewer a sense of mystery.
From the production of lacquerware, we can also find that lacquerware actually symbolizes Chu's pursuit of aesthetics and art. Chu people advocate fire, so red is the main theme of their lives, and lacquerware is mainly red.
In The Legend of Mi Yue, the State of Chu was in the imperial court.
Chu lacquerware has experienced a very complicated process from birth to development. However, in today's Hubei and Hunan areas, we can still find unique Chu lacquerware in museums, which show the elegance and rhythm of Chu culture to some extent. Today, the production of lacquerware is still very popular in Hubei. At present, China has listed this lacquer making process in the national intangible cultural heritage list. This skill, which has been passed down for thousands of years, still shines after two thousand years of wind and rain.