Craft

1989

Width:18.6 x Height:27.5 x Diameter:18.6 (cm)

高:27.5,直徑(口):5.2,直徑(底):14.1,腹圍:59.6,直徑:18.6

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 vessel features a small rounded mouth, broad shoulders, and a gently curving body that tapers to a rounded base. It was formed using the jia-zhu (lacquerware with ramie cloth) technique, where a clay core is reinforced with multiple layers of cloth and lacquer. Once the core is removed, the hollow form is decorated. The exterior is adorned with four sets of floral and foliage motifs. The petals are applied using tin foil, with flower centers painted in red lacquer and leaf veins in yellow. The leaves and background are brushed layer by layer with green lacquer in varying shades, each coat requiring complete drying before the next can be applied. A final coat of dark green lacquer is applied over the entire surface, followed by polishing, buffing, and glazing to complete the piece. Labor-intensive and time-consuming, this work reveals a vivid scene of blossoms glowing brilliantly amid a lush green field, achieved through repeated cycles of layering and refinement.

Accession number:20170300205