- Index - Exhibition
- The Exhibition OF Mawangdui Han Tombs
- 1.A Great Archaeological Discovery
- 2.Walking into the Family of the Marquis of Dai
- --Li Cang’s Family
- --An Extravagant Life
- --The Beauty of Lacquerware
- --The Brilliance of the Silk Country
- --The Treasure on Silk and Inscribed Slips
- 3.Set of Painted Coffins with a Big Outer Coffin
- 4.Everlasting Remains
- 5.Gallery
- The Exhibition of Shang and Zhou Bronzes Found in Hunan
- The Exhibition of Ceramics from Famous Kilns in Hunan
- Exhibition of Calligraphies in the Ming and Qing Dynasty
- Exhibition of Paintings Created in the Ming and Qing Dynasties
- Exhibition of Ten New Major Archaeological Discoveries in Hunan
The Beauty of Lacquerware
Lacquerware was one of ancient China’s great inventions. The industry of lacquerware reached its pinnacle in the period from the Warring States to the Western Han. Owing to the complicated procedures and high cost of production, only the wealthy could afford lacquerware. From Tombs No.1 and No.3, over 500 pieces of lacquerware were recovered. They are varied in shape and decoration, and well preserved. Most of them are made of wood, while a few of them are of hemp cloth or bamboo. Of various shapes and sizes and with innovative decorations and exquisite patterns, these pieces are representative of the lacquerware production of the early Western Han period.
Lacquer Tripod with Cloud Design
Height 28cm diameter at mouth 23cmUnearthed from Tomb No.1
The wooden body was shaped by trimming (rotating a single piece of wood against a knife). When unearthed, it contained some slices of lotus root floating in water.
Lacquer Zhong-Vase with Cloud Design
Height 57cm diameter at belly 35cm Unearthed from Tomb No.1This is a wine vessel. The wooden body was shaped by trimming. When unearthed, it contained some wine residue. The character written in vermilion on its base is “Dan”, denoting its capacity.
Lacquer Fang-Vase with Cloud Design
Height 52cm side length at belly 23cmUnearthed from Tomb No.1
This is a wine vessel. The wooden body was shaped by hewing. When unearthed, it contained some wine residue. The inscription written in vermilion on its base is “Si Dou”, denoting its capacity.
Lacquer Tray with Cloud Design
Height 5cm length 78cm width 48cmUnearthed from Tomb No.1
The wooden body was shaped by hewing. When unearthed, it carried five small lacquer dishes containing food, one lacquer goblet, and one flanged cup with a pair of bamboo chopsticks placed on top of it. This is a copy of a dinner scene portraying the tomb owner before her death. It suggests that noble people had dinner separately in the Han Dynasty.
Lacquer Two-Tiered Cosmetic Box with Painted Design and Nine Small Boxes
Height 19.2cm diameter 35.2cm at mouthUnearthed from Tomb No.1
The body of the lid and the sides of the box are made of hemp cloth, while that of the bottom is made of wood shaped by hewing. The box consists of two tiers: an upper layer containing mitts and a silk scarf, and a lower one containing nine small boxes, white powder, paints, rouge, a wig, a powder puff, a comb, a fine-toothed comb and a brush. The exterior of the box is decorated with a painted cloud design.
Rectangular Lacquer Cosmetic Box with Raised Decoration
Height 21cm length 48.5cm width 25.5cmUnearthed from Tomb No.3
The body of the box is made of hemp cloth. When unearthed, it contained a black lacquer gauze hat.