the world of Lacquer: 2000 years of history by Carvalho, Pedro de Moura (editor); essays by Carvalho, Pedro de Moura; Hutt, Julia; Impey, Oliver; Stanley, Tim; Morna, Teresa Freitas; Coutinho, Maria Isabel Pereira; Badetz, Yves - 2001

Calaouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Lisbon, 2001 Book. Good. Soft cover. English text.; Paperback; 23.5 x 28 cm; 1.4 Kg; 261 pages with colour illustrations throughout.; Used with signs of wear on the exterior. Interior in very good condition apart from our bookseller logo on front free endpaper.; Catalog from the exhibition held at Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, Lisbon, from 30 March to 10 June 2001.; "A varied collection that covers a broad time span, such as the one assembled by Calouste Gulbenkian, has enormous potential to act as the point of departure for research into and exploration, development and divulgation of clearly defined thematic areas. 'The World of Lacquer' is one such case. It combines pieces from the Gulbenkian Museum with those from other Portuguese and international museums and private collections, revealing the evolution of laquerwork from its origins in China over 6,000 years ago until the twentieth century. Another significant aspect is that lacquerware objects can be seen as an outstanding example of the role played by the Portuguese in divulgating Oriental art in the West. From the sixteenth century onwards, lacquers became and important part of the merchandise brought in the ships from India run to satisfy demand from various European markets. Themes such as this create opportunities for far-reaching historical, aesthetic and technological research that goes beyond the more limited scope of an ephemeral event such as an exhibition. Consequently, the catalogue does not merely record and illustrate a fact. Instead, it brings together multifaceted studies, becoming a work of reference that will continue to be of use to those interested in the art and technique of producing lacquerware. As such, these essays cover lacquer's origins, the different periods of trade between East and West, the various European imitations and lacquer's development in contemporary decorative arts." introductory text by Emílio Rui Vilar, Trustee of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation..