Pair of Chinese Black Lac Burgauté Dishes with Garden Scenes
OwnerOwned by
James Cromar Watt
(Aberdeen, Scotland, 1862 - 1940)
DateQing Dynasty, 19th century
Object NameDish
Mediumlacquer and mother-of-pearl
ClassificationsApplied Art
DimensionsOverall: Width: 11 cm, Depth: 10.9 cm
AcquisitionJames Cromar Watt Bequest, 1941.
CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS014487
About MeA pair of Chinese square black lacquer dishes with rounded corners and upturned edges set with mother-of-pearl inlay of weeping willows, buildings and figures in a garden scene. Lacquerware originated in China at the beginning of the 4th century B.C. It is made from the sap of the native tree Rhus Vernicifera, which produces a varnish that is used either on its own or applied to a number of media including wood, fabric, bronze, and porcelain.
In addition to carving, lacquer was also inlaid and painted. Black or deep rich brown lacquer, which imitated tortoiseshell, was a popular background for mother of pearl, hardstone and metal inlays as well as rich gold handpainted decoration.
Mother of pearl inlaid decoration seems to have originated in China, with examples occurring as early as the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Lac Burgauté comes from the French laque for lacquer and burgau for sea-ear, referring to the shell inlay. In China this form of decoration is known as lo tien, and in Japan it is called aogai. Lacquering was used for a vast number of domestic, decorative and religious objects. It was even employed in Japan to decorate armour and weaponry.
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