Mei Xin Wang

Lacquer box (Cuan He 攢盒)
Black wood with red, green, yellow, brown lacquer and gold foil
Zhejiang province, China
2017
Diameter: 35cm, height: 13cm
2017,3043.1

This red lacquer box was commissioned by the British Museum to form part of the contemporary collection displayed in the Sir Joseph Hotung Gallery of China and South Asia at its reopening in 2017. It was designed by Jiang Qiong’er 蔣瓊耳(1976 – ) and made by Master Gan Erke 甘爾可 (1955 – ) in China.

The technique used to make this box is called Xipi laquer犀皮漆 or ‘rhinoceros skin lacquer’ developed from the filled-in and inlaid method. It differentiated from other types of lacquerwares because of its luminous and silky exterior and its irregular and unpredictable patterns on the surface. Earliest known lacquerwares made in this technique are dated to the 2^nd century AD from the tomb of General Zhu Ran 朱然 (AD182-249). Although continuously used to produce lacquerwares in the following centuries, the technique was discontinued from the 19^th century until Master Gan Erke 甘爾可 revived it in the early 21^st century and instilled an innovative variation by applying gold foils over red, green, yellow and brown lacquers on the surface to render a glowing golden sheen.

In the centre of the cover of the box is a rock-shaped handle made of agate. Inside are six trays made in black lacquer. A two-line inscription is imprinted in gold inside the cover with marks of the maker and the designer on the base.

Boxes of this type are traditionally called Cuan He 攢盒in China and used to contain an assortment of dried fruits during festivals and celebrations.

It is on display in G33 at the British Museum in the 21^st century case.