A dazzling variety of intangible cultural heritage handicrafts are exhibited for the public who wish to view the first batch of selected traditional artworks and handicrafts in Chongqing. When preparing for the exhibition, Cai Zerong, president of Chongqing Industrial Arts Association, was onsite to give instructions for exhibition arrangements and to communicate with exhibitors. He is known as a master of Chinese craft and arts, a representative inheritor of the wooden lacquer art in Chengkou County, Chongqing.

Three Gorges Goddess Peak Lacquer Vase was listed in "Chongqing Gifts for Foreign Affairs Events 2021". (Photo/The World & Chongqing)

In Chongqing Shanshen Lacquer Art Museum, hundreds of lacquerware pieces are exhibited, including lacquer vases, plates, paintings, folding screens extending a few meters, and palm-size teacups. It is breathtaking how exquisite they are, as shiny as pearl, as smooth as silk. A lacquer vase is outstanding, with featured elements of the Three Gorges.

"This craft is Three Gorges Goddess Peak Lacquer Vase inspired by the legend of Wushan Goddess Peak. Elegant and delicate, the ware reminds us that Chongqing is a beautiful city of lush mountains and lucid rivers," Cai Zerong said. "Visitors will think of Chongqing whenever they see the stately gift."

Cai Zerong, Master of Chinese Craft and Arts and a Representative Inheritor of the Wooden Lacquer Art in Chengkou, Chongqing. (Photo/The World & Chongqing)

Dating back to 3,000 years ago

Chengkou County boasts the highest forest coverage rate in Chongqing. It grows lacquer trees, one of the top five lacquers in China. This land is warm in winter and cool in summer with good air quality and provides a favorable climate and environment for producing high-end lacquerware.

Collecting Sap from a Lacquer Tree. (Photo/The World & Chongqing)

"Lacquer art has a long history in China. In ancient times, lacquerware was not only used in daily life but also used as an offering on important occasions such as sacrifice. Chengkou lacquerware is historically known as the lacquerware of Ba, dating back to 3,000 years ago, according to archaeological findings. In modern times, lacquer art is widely adopted in house decoration and furniture production, especially the furniture used as a dowry. In Chengkou, lacquerware can be found everywhere in the life of local people." This experience kindled Cai Zerong's interest in lacquer art when he was young and started his apprenticeship in his teens.

According to Xiu Shi Lu (Records of Traditional Lacquerware), there are 471 techniques of lacquer art, including engraved gold, filled-in lacquer, carved lacquer, and rhino skin. After lacquered, wares must be dried for 7-10 days before the following process, and over a hundred procedures are required to decorate wares. It takes at least one to two months or three to five years to make a piece of lacquerware. For large-scale and complicated works, the teamwork of more than ten artisans is required.

"It is true that once you've made up your mind, perseverance is needed to finish the endeavor. Lacquer art has been passed down in China for thousands of years. Now it is our mission to inherit it further," said Cai. "Since the day I took up lacquer art, it has become my lifelong dedication."

"Five Cattles in Golden Field" Lacquer Vase Using Techniques of Coating, Grinding, and Gold Foil Applying. (Photo/The World & Chongqing)

Intangible Cultural Heritage of Chongqing

In 2010, Chengkou lacquerware was listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Chongqing. In 2015, Shanshen Lacquerware was honored as a "Protected Eco-origin Product of China," receiving the Golden Awards of China Tourism Commodities Competition many times. In 1993, Cai founded the Chongqing Shanshen Lacquerware Co., Ltd., expanding it from a small factory to an industrial park. Shanshen Lacquerware has grown into a well-known Chinese brand with global fame.

"Red Boat Setting Sails" Lacquer Plate. (Photo/The World & Chongqing)

Lacquerwares named Five Cattles in Golden Field, and Five Blessings achieved successively awards for craft designs at home and abroad. The Three Gorges Goddess Peak Lacquer Vase and other delicate works have been sent to foreign guests as state gifts. This lacquer vase also served as a gift to present China's craftsmanship in many foreign affairs events, such as the Annual Meeting of the Chongqing Mayor's Advisory Council, Asia-Pacific Cities Summit, and ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting.

Planing to establish a lacquerware museum

In 2019, the training class of Shanshen Lacquerware (intangible cultural heritage) to alleviate poverty was opened. With the operation mode of "company + impoverished people + lacquer craft," this class aimed to develop and inherit the intangible cultural heritage and drive employment. "Traditional craft is born from innovation, and Shanshen Lacquerware is no exception. A strong sense of crisis will appear if we don't come up with new ideas or make progress." As a leader of craft and arts in Chongqing, Cai often thinks about how to inherit the Chengkou lacquer art and to research and develop cultural creative lacquer ware with great popularity. He also thinks about integrating intangible cultural heritage with rural revitalization and promoting its harmonious development with cultural tourism.

Lacquer Tea Set. (Photo/The World & Chongqing)

Lacquer Container Box. (Photo/The World & Chongqing)

"Now lacquerware has changed from common household goods to souvenirs and collections. Its good implications bring people great joy in life," said Cai. He was perfecting his new work, a scarlet red lacquer vase, with gentleness and determination in his eyes. "Going forward, we plan to establish a lacquerware museum to introduce the artwork to the public, providing a platform for more people to appreciate and showcase the charisma of lacquer culture."