Craft

Width:23.3 x Height:4 x Diameter:23.3 (cm)

Chen Huo-Ching (1914-2001, Taichung) was a master of lacquer art in Taiwan. After graduating from Chingshui Public School, he apprenticed at the Yamaka Lacquerware Studio in Taichung, where he trained in traditional lacquer techniques. Upon completing his studies, he remained at the studio as an artisan and later taught part-time at the Taichung Craft Training Institute, which eventually became a specialized craft school. Following World War II, Chen worked for the Air Force, where he was responsible for aircraft painting. After leaving this position due to health issues and personal loss, he devoted himself fully to lacquerware creation at home. In the 1960s, a peak period for Taiwan’s lacquerware exports to Japan, Chen served as a technical consultant to lacquerware companies and founded his own firm to fulfill Japanese commissions. From 1984 onward, he contributed extensively to the education and promotion of lacquer art, serving as an instructor at the Taiwan Provincial Handicraft Research Institute and the National Palace Museum. His contributions to the industry were highly influential, and in 1998, he was recognized by the Ministry of Education as a Master of Important Folk Art.
This work is a wooden bowl with a flat base and a round, outward-flaring mouth. The exterior is coated with black lacquer, while the interior is fully coated with red lacquer. Mustard seeds were then sprinkled over the red lacquer. Once the lacquer had dried, the seeds were removed. A layer of black lacquer was subsequently applied, and after it dried, the surface was polished to reveal the distinctive pattern. This decorative technique derives from the nanako-nuri (seed-pattern lacquer) tradition of Tsugaru lacquerware in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. The method employs sesame seeds, mustard seeds, or similar materials to create a fine pattern of small circular marks.

Accession number:20170300191