Mid-20th Century Chinese Hand Carved Cinnabar Lacquer Plate

A Chinese Red Lacquered Dish Plate, 20th Century Provenance: Private Australian Collection. Dimensions: Height: 3.8cm. Diameter: 17.8cm.

Introducing a stunning early 20th-century Chinese red lacquer plate, a testament to the exquisite artistry and craftsmanship of the period. This capt...

This exceptional antique Chinese cinnabar lacquer jar is richly hand-carved in deep relief, displaying the extraordinary artistry and ...

Early 20th century Chinese Red Lacquer decorated box. Relief carved top panel of an attendant and scholar. Fine finger joints on the box and lid. Inside top of the lid having Chinese...

A delightful Chinese carved cinnabar table panel , it carved from cinnabar lacquer, A Rare Carved Red Lacquer Landscape and Figure Pattern Table Scree...

This intriguing Chinese zhadou is intricately carved of fine cinnabar lacquer. A work of exceptional artistry, this covered bowl is adorned with an intricately carved floral motif on all surfaces, including the cover and the wide rim. Also known as a cuspidor or spittoon, this rare container would have been used by members of the imperial family and scholar- officials at the court. Carved during the Kangxi period (1662-1722), this charming piece exhibits the high detail and charm associated with items from that period, making it a true treasure, Early 18th century (Kangxi dynasty) Measures: 6 ¼” wide x 3 ¼” high Cinnabar has been revered for its color all over the world. It has been found in the royal burial chambers of the Mayas, in the rituals of India, and in the ruins of ancient Greece and Rome. In China, cinnabar and gold were the two most important elements in alchemy. Mined since the Neolithic Age, cinnabar is the ore of mercury, and as such, it can be incredibly toxic, especially when mining. In fact, during the Roman Empire, miners at Spain’s Almadén mine in Spain were frequently exposed to mercury fumes, and the subsequent, often fatal, sickness was considered an occupational hazard. The most popular known use of cinnabar is in Chinese carved lacquer-ware, a technique that is believed to have originated in the Song Dynasty, in which cinnabar is ground to a powder and added to clear lacquer. As with mining, there was inherent danger of mercury poisoning for those who carved the lacquer, as mercury was also released into the air when artisans ground the pigments. Most antique cinnabar...

Chinese cinnabar lacquer hand mirror, with floral and rustic garden fences as decoration, all carved in deep relief. Topped by a round knob also with f...

A richly colored red lacquered Chinese storage trunk, dating to the early 20th century, featuring original brass hardware and hand-painted naturalistic decorations. The lid showcases...

Chinese cinnabar covered jar. Decorated all over with scenes of figures, pavilions, pine trees and mountains. Marked "CHINA" on the bottom, circa 1890s.

Chinese cinnabar very finely carved box circa late 18th or early 19th century. The multiple lacquered layers of red over black over amber, the cover carved with a scene of Kwan Yin i...