Each and every one of the lacquerware pieces in the Man-U Imports collection is made a natural substance obtained from the lacquer tree in China, which leads the world in lacquer resources. While much of China is suitable for growing the lacquer tree, but most of the output comes from five provinces—Shaanxi, Hubei, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan.

Raw lacquer is the sap of the lacquer tree, which hardens in contact with air. A lacquer tree does not become productive until 3-5 years after planting.  The trees can only be tapped for lacquer in June and July and must only be tapped in the predawn hours because sun reduces the moisture in the air and stops the flow of the latex.

Lacquerware’s long history dates back to the remote ages in China. In 1955, in the Jiangsu Province, a number of lacquer-painted black pottery objects were discovered intact in the neolithic ruins at Tuanjie Vilage and Meiyan Township in Jiangsu Province and were found to bear patterns painted in lacquer after the objects had been fired.  They are the earliest lacquered articles ever discovered in China and are now kept in the Museum of Nanjing. 

Lacquerware is moisture-proof, resistant to heat, acid and alkali and its color and luster are highly durable. As a result, it is both beautiful and practical to use. 

The making of Beijing cinnabar lacquerware begins with a brass or wooden body. After preparation and polishing, it is coated with several dozen, and sometimes, up to hundreds of layers of lacquer, reaching a total thickness of 5 to 18 millimeters. Then, engravers cut into the hardened lacquer, creating "carved paintings" of landscapes, human figures, flowers and birds. Traditional Beijing lacquer objects are in the forms of chairs screens tea tables and vases. 

Yangzhou lacquer articles are distinguished not only by carvings in relief, but by exquisite patterns inlaid with gems, gold, ivory and mother of pearl. The products are normally screens, cabinets, tables, chairs, vases, trays, cups, boxes and ashtrays.

Fuzhou is well known for the "bodiless lacquerware," one of the "Three Treasures" of Chinese arts and crafts (the other two being Beijing cloisonné and Jingdezhen porcelain).

The bodiless lacquerware starts with a body of clay, plaster, or wood. Grass linen or silk is pasted onto it, layer after layer, with lacquer as the binder. The original body is removed after the outer cloth shells have dried in the shade. This is then smoothed with putty, polished, and coated with layers of lacquer. After being carved with colorful patterns, it is extremely lightweight and has an exquisite finish that is less than 3/8" thick.

New to our collection are stunning examples of each of the various examples of lacquerware described, including figurines, vases, figurines, screens and furniture. Whether you are shopping for an everyday utilitarian piece, or a unique work of art, lacquerware  is an art form that you are sure to enjoy for years to come.