Craft

Width:23.5 x Height:7.5 (cm)

五小盤尺寸(單位:公分) 1:口徑23.5、足徑13.5、高7.5 2:口徑22、足徑13.5、高7 3:口徑29.6、足徑19.5、高8 4:口徑23.2、足徑13.4、高7.3 5:口徑21.8、足徑14、高6.6

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 set of five lacquer plates features a consistent form, each with a circular body, flared rim, and tall ring foot. The set includes one large plate and four smaller plates of equal size. The exterior walls and outer foot surfaces are coated with black lacquer, while the interior and the base of each foot are finished in red lacquer. The production process began with lacquering the foot base, followed by the exterior walls and then the interior surfaces, applied in sequence. This type of lacquer plate, known as a shengli plate (offering plate for ritual use), was traditionally used to present ritual offerings. Sets could be prepared for offerings of three or five sacrificial items. According to research, this particular set of shengli plates dates back to the time of Chen Huo-Ching’s father and was later refinished and restored by Chen.

Accession number:20170300193