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Coatings
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Research and Conservation of Ancient Lacquer
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Research and Conservation of Ancient Lacquer

A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412). This special issue belongs to the section "Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 3395

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xing Zhao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Cultural Heritage, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
Interests: conservation of lacquer
Dr. Qiuju He

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Capital Museum, Beijing, China
Interests: restoration and scientific analysis of lacquerware
Dr. Na Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Conservation Department, The Palace Museum, Beijing, China
Interests: restoration and scientific analysis of lacquerware

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Lacquer is a natural coating with a history of over 8,000 years, but the traditional craftsmanship of lacquerware is on the verge of disappearing. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the ancient techniques used in lacquerware production and to effectively conserve them for future generations, many laboratories have embarked on research analyzing and conserving ancient lacquerware. In this context, this Special Issue aims to present the latest developments in this field. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the scientific analysis of unearthed and inherited lacquerware, the restoration of lacquerware crafting techniques, the softening of lacquer films, and the dehydration and shaping of lacquer wood items.

Dr. Xing Zhao
Dr. Qiuju He
Dr. Na Wang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Coatings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ancient lacquer
  • traditional craft
  • scientific research
  • conservation
  • restoration

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 4406 KiB  
Article
Craftsmanship and Techniques of a Lacquered Ear Cup from the Ancient Nanyue Kingdom
by Lin Zheng, Xia Li, Zichen Zhao, Shuang’e Tian, Jianling Tang, Siming Li, Xiaocen Li, Na Wang and Tengfei Yu
Coatings 2025, 15(7), 752; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15070752 (registering DOI) - 25 Jun 2025
Viewed by 12
Abstract
This study analyzes a lacquered ear cup excavated from the Luobowan tomb complex in Guigang, Guangxi, attributed to the Nanyue Kingdom of the early Han dynasty. A range of analytical techniques, including optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), [...] Read more.
This study analyzes a lacquered ear cup excavated from the Luobowan tomb complex in Guigang, Guangxi, attributed to the Nanyue Kingdom of the early Han dynasty. A range of analytical techniques, including optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), were employed to investigate the structural layers, material composition, and preservation state of the artifact. The lacquerware consists of four traditional layers: a wooden core, fabric reinforcement, lacquer ground, and lacquer film, reflecting Central Plains lacquerware techniques. The wooden core was identified as Phoebe sp., and the fabric layer is likely hemp, though fiber degradation limited exact identification. The lacquer ground layer contains natural lacquer mixed with SiO2 from brick or tile powder. The lacquer film is a blend of Chinese and Vietnamese lacquer, with no synthetic additives or plant oils detected. The red lacquer layer contains cinnabar (HgS) as a pigment, while the black lacquer uses carbon black. Differences in moisture content between the red and black lacquer films are attributed to variations in surface porosity and pigment characteristics. This research provides valuable insights into Nanyue lacquer technology and preservation challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Conservation of Ancient Lacquer)
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17 pages, 6359 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Lacquer from the Zeng Cemetery (1046–771 BCE) at Guojiamiao
by Zifan Chen, Suya Wei, Yingchun Fu and Qin Fang
Coatings 2024, 14(12), 1559; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14121559 - 12 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 964
Abstract
The wooden lacquerware unearthed from the Zhou Dynasty (1046–771 BCE) Zeng Cemetery of Guojiamiao in Hubei Province, China, holds significant cultural value. Although the artifacts retain intact lacquer films, the wooden bodies exhibit high moisture content and severe decay, necessitating immediate dehydration and [...] Read more.
The wooden lacquerware unearthed from the Zhou Dynasty (1046–771 BCE) Zeng Cemetery of Guojiamiao in Hubei Province, China, holds significant cultural value. Although the artifacts retain intact lacquer films, the wooden bodies exhibit high moisture content and severe decay, necessitating immediate dehydration and reinforcement. The characterization of the samples was carried out using microscopy, SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy—Energy Dispersive Spectrometry), XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), Raman spectroscopy, and THM-Py-GC/MS (Thermally Assisted Hydrolysis–Methylation Pyrolysis–Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry) to analyze their physical and chemical properties, while moisture content was assessed through the loss-on-drying method. Findings reveal that the wooden structures of the dou and bow are made from Catalpa wood and Sawtooth oak, respectively, with a moisture content reaching 274%. The lacquer film comprises three layers: a mortar layer, a lacquer layer, and a cinnabar-containing red pigment layer. The purpose of this study is to investigate the material properties of lacquered wood artifacts, focusing on the application of advanced analytical techniques to assess their condition and composition, offering a foundation for effective conservation strategies for these cultural relics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Conservation of Ancient Lacquer)
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11 pages, 11973 KiB  
Article
The Lacquer Craft of the Corridor Coffin (徼道棺) from Tomb No. 2 of Tushan in Eastern Han Dynasty, Xuzhou
by Zongmin Li, Xiaojun Li, Jinyong Yu, Yihua Sun, Jianjun Geng and Xing Zhao
Coatings 2024, 14(9), 1222; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14091222 - 22 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1358
Abstract
Tomb No. 2 of Tushan in Xuzhou is the tomb of King Chu of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and it was an important archaeological discovery in China. The unique placement and crafting techniques of a lacquer coffin that was unearthed from the burial [...] Read more.
Tomb No. 2 of Tushan in Xuzhou is the tomb of King Chu of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and it was an important archaeological discovery in China. The unique placement and crafting techniques of a lacquer coffin that was unearthed from the burial corridor are of significant importance in the study of tombs. In order to characterise the sample’s microstructure, elemental composition, and structural composition, as well as to study the crafting techniques of the coffin in the corridor, a range of analytical techniques were employed, including ultra-depth microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with SEM-EDS, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, and XRD. The results indicate that the cross-sectional structure of the fragments comprises a pigment layer and a lacquer ash layer, with the latter being further divided into tile ash and bone ash layers. No lacquer film layer was observed. The primary colouring agent in the pigment layer was HgS, which contained a minor quantity of organic binder. The primary component of the tile ash layer was quartz, while the osseous ash layer comprised particles and collagen derived from mammalian bones. The lacquer crafting technique employed in the construction of the coffin was relatively simple and inconsistent with the assumption of it having a noble status. The findings of this research offer experimental data for the identification, preservation, and technical restoration of the corridor coffin in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Conservation of Ancient Lacquer)
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