3rd Saturday Lecture: The Beauty and Danger of Chinese Lacquer

On December 19th, Ray Menegus spoke about the processes involved in making objects with lacquer, a substance that was used to color, beautify, and protect screens, furniture, sculpture, bowls, etc. It could be carved, incised and inlaid. Mr. Menegus’ personal experience making a carved lacquer box showed us how difficult this technique is.
Following Ray's presentation, commentary was provided by Andy Lu, who showed a number items made with lacquer and inlay techniques from his extensive collection.
This program was produced by the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum in collaboration with the SDSU Chinese Cultural Center and hosted by the SDSU CCC Zoom meeting room.

[@ohsusieq1988]

This is intriguing to learn about! Thank You! I have some Carved Furniture and other pieces that I would like to authenticate as well as whom I would take them to for restoration or do I leave the pieces alone so to not take the value away?

[@GuanLaoban]

Great presentation, very informative--kudos to all of you. I have a question, if I may: What is the best way to determine if a piece is authentic cinnabar or something else, such as synthetic, molded resin. I have seen a collector conduct a test, where he poked the surface with a hot needle. The reasoning is that if the needle sinks in easily and a "plasticy" smell is produced, then the piece is a fake. I had heard of that as a test for authentic scrimshaw (whale tooth), but I doubt it would also work as a test on lacquer. My understanding is that lacquer is a polymerized compound--a hydrocarbon--which makes it a kind of natural plastic. The addition of cinnabar, which is mercury sulfide (HgS), and you have a mercury-impregnated proto-plastic. It should come as no surprise then that authentic cinnabar lacquer, when poked with a hot needle, should emit a noxious, "burning plastic" smell. So, do you know of a more surefire way to determine whether a specimen is authentic cinnabar lacquer or molded resin? Thank you in advance!

[@RogerSchwendeman]

There is a "fire" test but really this is a sort of last ditch effort kind of test. He mentioned one of the methods in the video already which is the smell. Synthetics and resins all emit a certain chemical smell. He also mentioned the bubbling which is visible under a magnifying glass if its a resin. Another way would look under a magnifying glass for the layers. If its actual carved lacquer the individual layers will be visible. You can also look for minor flaws in the knifework which is missing in molded pieces. As are tiny hairline cracks that occur with age. Perhaps I will do a video on this topic at some point.