Ancient Lacquer Exhibition in Suzhou Traces Chinese, Japanese, to European Influences

JAKARTA - The ancient lacquer exhibition taking place at the Suzhou Museum, Jiangsu Province, China, not only showcases high-value art objects. According to a report by China Daily quoted on Monday, April 13, this exhibition also traces the long history of cultural exchange between China and Japan, then spread to Europe, even interacting with the history of diplomacy and war.

One of the most eye-catching collections is a place of incense from Japanese black lacquer in the Edo era, around the 17th to 19th century. Lac is a layer of coating from processed tree sap, known for being strong, waterproof, and producing a shiny surface. The object is decorated with fine carvings and pearl arrangements. On the base there is a poem from the Village Dwelling which has long been associated with the great Chinese poet, Li Bai.

That's where the interesting story lies. The curator of the exhibition, Xi Zhe, said the attribution of the poem was wrong. It is suspected that the buyer of the object used a copy of a Chinese poetry book circulating in Japan without knowing that there was an error in the inclusion of the poet's name. However, it is precisely from there that the strong influence of Chinese literature in Japan can be seen. "This does not reduce the value of this object as evidence of Japan's historical enthusiasm for Chinese literature and lacquer art," Xi said, quoted from China Daily.

China Daily reported that the exhibition also featured a red lacquer tray that in Japanese documents had been appraised as "a Tang treasure that has been authenticated". The mention shows that the object believed to have come from the Tang Dynasty has high value and great prestige in Japan.

According to Xi, the lacquer technique was brought from China to Japan since the first few centuries AD. The technique then developed strongly in the Asuka and Nara periods, along with the influx of other influences such as Buddhism and the tea drinking tradition. From there, Japan not only absorbed, but also processed it into its own style.

One of the results is the maki-e technique, which is sprinkling gold or silver powder on wet lacquer to produce a fine shimmering effect. Japan also developed a pearl inlay that later became an important element in its lacquer art. In the Edo period, the influence actually moved back. Japanese lacquer style influenced Chinese works in the Qing era.

Still according to China Daily, the influence of Chinese lacquerware also spread to Europe in the 18th century through the chinoiserie style. In fact, lacquerware was part of Emperor Qianlong's gift to the Macartney Mission from Britain in 1793. However, the relationship did not end smoothly. British trade interests then clashed with the Qing court's attitude and led to a more violent historical episode, including the Opium War.

Here, the lacquer object is no longer just a work of art. It also becomes a symbol that cultural exchange often goes hand in hand with the struggle for influence. Behind its smooth and shiny surface, there is a story about taste, power, and the changing times.