Lacquer Wares of the Chu Kingdom by Teng Rensheng - 1992

Hong Kong: Woods Publishing, 1992. First Edition. Hard bound. As New/As New. The kingdom of Chu, one of the component polities of Eastern Zhou China, developed a particularly complex and vibrant lacquer art. In recent years many fine examples of this delicate material have been recovered by Chinese archaeologists, miraculously intact following over 2000 years of burial. Not only have the structures of the furnishings, sculptures, vessels, musical instruments and ornaments been preserved, but in many cases the brilliant red-, yellow-, green- and black-coloured surface patterns emerge almost as fresh as when originally made. The present monograph illustrates and describes the finest of these artefacts, thus providing a unique insight into the iconography and style favoured by these ancient artisans. Scholarly essays complementing these illustrations record the archaeological discovery of Chu lacquer, the chronology, classification, production, aesthetics and social implications of the wares and and provide detailed analysis of decorative motifs. Captions in bilingual English / Chinese; essays and descriptions in English only. 184 pp., 104 colour plates and 119 line drawings, chronology, index. 29 x 22 cm..