Analysis Of Qianlong Period Palace Lacquerware

The Qing dynasty was a period of economic prosperity and cultural progress as a result of the assimilation between the Man and Han ethnic groups. This environment and the emperor’s aesthetic taste contributed greatly to the flourishing of the Qing dynasty’s palace lacquerware. Some even call the Qianlong Period (1735-1795 AD) the golden age of the Qing dynasty lacquerware, due to its uniqueness among all of Chinese lacquerware history. During this period, artisans thrived and competed with each other, driving innovations in technique, detail, and design. In particular, palace lacquerware’s ornamental painting technique was considered the height of lacquerware artistry.Suzhou Weaving was the main production site of the palace lacquerware during the Qianlong period. To maximize each production site’s usefulness, Emperor Qianlong enforced a strict management system and administrative policies. A merit based management system and promotion of talent development incentivized and energized lacquerware artisans’creative passions and cemented a solid foundation for Qianlong period’s lacquerware development.Qianlong Period’s palace lacquerware ornamental decoration techniques succeeded the Ming dynasty’s techniques, and can be classified into six major types and additional types passed on in artisan families. However, the lacquerware also have their own period characteristics:more vibrant paint, expanded base materials from wood, metal and leather to red porcelain etc. This period also witnessed the development of several artistic trends: rapid development of auspicious and favorable designs; frequent appearances of landscapes in palace lacquerware pattern; introduction of sea dragon and animal designs. From the perspective of applied palace lacquerware, it penetrated every aspect of court life, from utensils and furnishings to office and furniture. It became an indispensable part of the court culture.Emperor Qianlong was personally involved in every aspect of the lacquerware design process, from the material, shape to the coloring, drawing. Qing Imperial Workshops contained detailed records of Emperor Qianlong’s directions and administrative staff’s reports on the production process. From these records we can observe the emperor’s high aesthetic standards, which contributed to the uniqueness of Qianlong Period palace lacquerware.