box; cosmetic-vessel BM-1940-0605.1

Period:Han dynasty Production date:2ndC-3rdC (circa)
Materials:lacquer, silver,
Technique:inlaid, painted, dry lacquer,
Subjects:mythical figure/creature (?)
Dimensions:Diameter: 21 centimetres Height: 5.50 inches

Description:
Toilet box and lid, made using the dry lacquer technique, painted with cloud scrolls and inlaid with silver. Fantastic and heavenly creatures amongst the flowing lines of the painted scrolls.
IMG


Comments:Rawson 1992:During the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) and the Han dynasty lacquer was predominantly used to provide painted surfaces for coffins, cosmetic boxes, musical instruments and food vessels. At first, geometric painted patterns were employed, but during the Han dynasty a more flowing linear style developed in accordance with the natural tendencies of brush painting. These flowing lines were read as cloud patterns and as landscapes, among which were scattered detailed animals and figures. Such scenes were linked to the Han dynasty preoccupation with immortality and belief in paradises, in which dwelt gods and immortals. Goblins and fairies, fantastic animals and birds are all depicted floating about in cloud- and wave-filled Daoist heavens. In addition, lacquer as material was thought to have magical qualities as an elixir of immortality, which may have contributed to its popularity at this time. A box similar to this one can be seen in use by court ladies in BM 1903.0408.1. Michaelson 2006:This lacquered toilet box was made using the dry lacquer technique. First a core of wood was formed and covered in hemp and then with many layers of lacquer, each of which had to dry before the next could be painted on. When the object was finished it was possible to strip away the original core so that the finished item would be incredibly light and also impervious to the insects which might have attacked a wooden interior.This style of decoration is associated with the south of China, which is sub-tropical and geographically very different from the more arid north. The folk religion of the state of Chu during the Warring States period (475-221 BC) involved a pantheon of gods, goddesses and deities, mythical beasts such as giant birds and dragons, and many varieties of plants and flowers. It was a strange mixture of mythology, unrestrained emotion, fiery imagination and romantic heroism, typified by the ‘Chuci’, a corpus of poetry supposedly written by a rejected minister of that period.