Bowl stand

Object Details

• Label

  Lacquer stands like this were used to hold ceramic drinking bowls for hot liquids such as tea. The natural insulating properties of lacquered wood made it particularly suitable for this purpose, while at the same time the lacquer itself remained cool to the touch. According to some sources, it was the stand that was picked up when bringing a bowl to one's lips.

  The abstract design is said to resemble the shape of ancient Chinese sword pommels. The deep carving is confined to the lacquer surface and does not touch the wooden substrate. The lacquer surface is built up of many layers, possibly more than one hundred individually applied coats. To create a vibrant effect, two colors of lacquer were used, layers of red sandwiched between the black. By cutting into the surface, the red was revealed. After the design was carved, another specialist was in charge of polishing the piece to make the surface lustrous.

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

  The Arts of China (November 18, 1990 to September 7, 2014)

  Pavilions and Immortal Mountains: Chinese Decorative Art and Paintings (September 28, 1987 to February 28, 1988)

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

• Type

  Furniture and Furnishing

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1400s, 1300s

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Art, Chinese Art, Lacquer, Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644)

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Furniture, Furnishings