Description

犀皮漆又名虎皮漆或波蘿漆, 因其多彩的漆皮而名. 工序有創意卻複雜, 準備好胎後, 先用稠漆在地子上點滴出不規則的小漆堆. 然後像塗剔彩一般在上面一層黑、一層紅、一層褐地相間把漆增厚. 足够了就把高低不平的小丘磨平, 小丘里的橫断面就能把不用層次的彩漆展現出美妙有緻的䋂彩了. 這手藝制作在以前是少有的.

胎體厚重,可能是皮革和漆灰制成的 (根據王世襄給相似捧盒藍鑒斷).

A Chinese circular lacquer box and cover of marbled pattern.
The body and lid are covered with lacquer of marbled pattern of brown, black and red (Commonly named Rhino-skin pattern in Chinese). Most lacquer work are labour intensive and it is particularly challenging for this one.

To achieve the result the craftsmen had to create an irregular base with ridges of thick lacquer material. Coats of lacquers were then applied, with alternative colours. It was finally cut and polished into a smooth surface exposing some of those under layers, creating a mixed free flow pattern. Very fine and outstanding work. Quite unusual.

21.5cm diameter
Circa Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)