Craft

Width:29.8 x Height:3.1 x Diameter:29.8 (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 circular plate features a wooden core, flat base, and straight sides. The entire surface is prepared with a ground layer of gray paste, followed by a middle coating of black lacquer. The interior of the plate is then decorated with two peony motifs using raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) combined with polychrome lacquer painting techniques. The mother-of-pearl pieces are first cut into shape with a needle knife and inlaid onto the surface. The plate is then coated with black lacquer, polished, and buffed. Peony petals are painted in red lacquer, while branches are rendered in brownish-green lacquer. The piece is completed with additional layers of polishing and finishing, resulting in a richly colored and radiant composition.

Accession number:20170300172