Red Masterpieces: Lacquerware from the Reign of Emperor Qianlong - Palace Museum

Macau: Macau Museum of Art, 2014. First Edition limited to 1000. Hardcover. Fine. Hardcover Fine 2 large format ((14"x10") hardcover in slipcase This splendid quality is only possible in Macau, where a special tax for cultural projects from casino profits allows for over the top catalogs and books that are issued in limited editions This one is limited to 1000 and was sold only in the Macau Art Museum and on their website. Like new, only leafed through once Ships from Hawaii

This splendid catalog for a 2014 exhibition in Macao is catagorised into ten themes and invites the reader to immerse in the glamour of over 120 sets of lacquerware and related court paintings from the splendid era The culture of lacquerware, a traditional Chinese craft, is rooted in ancient times The black lacquered bow excuvated from the Neolithic site of Kuahuqiao in Xiaoxhan, Hangzhou Province reveals that the earliest found lacquerware in China appeared over 7,000 years ago In terms of of practical function, lacquerware underwent a development during the Qin and Han dynasties (221 BC - AD 220) and a decline in the Six Dynasties (AD 222 - 589) due to frequent wars Lacquerware production was rejuvenated by the conversion of practicality to ornamental usage during the great rule of the Sui and Tang dynasties (AD 581 - 907), and became mature in Song and Yuan dynasties (AD 960 - 1368) The imperal court in Ming and Qing dynasties (AD 1368 - 1911) favoured and patronised lacquerware production, bringing about a prosperous time of this art from the imperial court to the public Lacquerware from the reign of Emperor Qianlong (AD 1736 - 1795) in Qing dynasty (AD 1644 - 1911) was sponsored by the emperor himself and flourished to an unprecedented degree Lacquerware, including emperor's thrones, decorations of the court and rooms, stationery, catering utensils, religious and ceremonial instruments, furniture, dressing tools, musical instrument, auspicious objects and warming tools as well as daily objects, were widely used in the Qing court The lacquerware produced in this era boasted a wide range of forms of expression, materials, decorative craftsmanship with excellent production, techniques and carving skills As the lacquerware from the reign of Qianlong surpassed previous generations with respect to both form of expression and technique, 2 large format ((14"x10") hardcover in slipcase This splendid quality is only possible in Macau, where a special tax-deduction from casino profits allows for over the top catalogs and books that are issued in limited editions This one is limited to 1000 and sold only in the Macau Art Museum and on their websiteLike new, only leafed through once Ships from Hawaii.