Octagonal box with Chinese motifs

The tradition of using natural lacquer for artistic purposes has existed in China since the Neolithic Age. It was first used to preserve objects or to paint on wood and other materials. Later, it was coloured black or red and carved – decorative carving was done after the many layers of lacquer dried. Lacquer was often used to make boxes of all shapes and sizes for interiors. Another widespread decorating technique were inlays in mother-of-pearl, in which artisans of the late imperial era excelled most, creating thereby complex figural or landscape compositions.