As a world famous special handicraft, Beijing Carved Lacquer Ware is engraved on the thick layer of lacquer coated on metal or wooden body. It is simple and unsophisticated in shape with cinnabar luster, delicate in engraving and characterized by anti-dampness, heat-resistance, endurance of acid and alkali corrosion. It is honored together with porcelain in Jingdezheng and embroidery in Hunan as the three treasures of Chinese arts and crafts
The craft was originated in Tang Dynasty with over one thousand years history and was once awarded the first prize in World Expo held in Panama in 1915 and has become reputed in the world market ever since.
Different from ordinary lacquer ware, Beijing Carved Lacquer Ware is especially unique in engraving, which is done with special knives on the lacquer body that is coated with scores or even hundreds of layers of lacquer leaving the thickness of the lacquer as thick as 15-25 mm; as the lacquer is carved out from the body to form designs/images, the craft is thus called carved lacquer. Making of carved lacquer ware has to go through eight major procedures, such as lacquer making, body making, base making, lacquer coating, painting, engraving and polishing etc. and dozens of minor procedures. The whole making process is rather complex and time consuming, and the lacquer coating process alone will take as long as 100-200 days.