What’s On
Revealing the secrets of how exquisite lacquer works get their vibrant colours.
One of the key ingredients is Cinnabar, a bright red mineral, traditionally used for its vibrant pigment in art and ritual, symbolizing life and immortality, remarkably in China, Egypt, and Rome.
Carved lacquer, which is mainly red, is often known as ”cinnabar” lacquer, a reference to the powdered mercury sulphide as the crucial colorant. This advanced technique involves carving built-up layers of thinly applied coats of lacquer tree resin mixed with grinded cinnabar into a three-dimensional design.
Join us on a journey of discovery as our Curator of East Asian Art Yupin Chung and Curator of Geology Ann Ainsworth lead an intriguing tour looking at a selection of superb lacquer objects and cinnabar to reveal the amazing art of lacquerware.’
