Craft

Width:15.7 x Height:23.2 x Diameter:15.7 (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 cylindrical copper-body vessel shaped to resemble a section of bamboo. The form was created by rolling thin copper sheets into a cylinder, which was then lined with fabric and lacquered on both the interior and exterior. The interior is coated with red lacquer, while the base is finished with black lacquer. The exterior is decorated with carved lacquer motifs of bamboo stalks, branches, and leaves, echoing the form of the vessel itself. The decorative patterns on the exterior stand slightly raised, creating a vivid low-relief effect. The process began with building up a thick layer of lacquer on the surface, which was then carved with a knife to form the design. Black and white lacquer were applied next. Green lacquer was used for the bamboo stalks, while yellow and green lacquer were applied to the branches and leaves, with red lacquer added to the tips of the leaves. The final surface was polished, wiped, and burnished. The combination of form and decoration demonstrates thoughtful design and refined craftsmanship.

Accession number:20170300196