Lacquer in the Royal Collection
Exquisite examples of Japanese, Chinese and Indian lacquer
Dish
mark and reign of Qianlong, 1736-95RCIN 3311
This dish was presented to George III by the Qianlong emperor following Lord Macartney's Embassy of 1792–4. The Emperor selected gifts that best showcased Chinese design and craftsmanship. This piece of lacquer is unusual in style, copied from an earlier, Ming dynasty type, and incised with a poem in praise of lacquer written by the Qianlong emperor himself.
'The skill of the lacquer craftsmen of Wuxia is beyond compare.
Even with their copies they surpass the originals.
In building up layers of lacquer how could it be that they have used a base of wood or tin?
When working the object how could it be that they have laboured in carving and polishing?
When the learned scholars appraise these lacquers they compare them to the landscapes of Xie Qing….'
