How did the lacquer on ancient lacquerware come about

The lacquer on ancient lacquerware was mainly taken from the lacquer tree.

The "lacquer" used in ancient lacquerware is the natural sap cut from the lacquer tree, which is mainly composed of lacquer phenol, laccase, gum and water. This kind of lacquer is different from the chemical paint used in modern times, which is not only natural and pollution-free, but also has a long-lasting color and is resistant to moisture and corrosion.

The raw lacquer, commonly known as "earth lacquer", also known as "national lacquer" or "lacquer", it is a milky white natural liquid paint from the lacquer tree, after contact with the air, it gradually turns brown, and after 4 hours, the surface of the lacquer turns brown. After contact with air, it gradually turns brown, and the surface dries up and hardens in about 4 hours to produce a lacquer film.

The economic value of raw lacquer is very high, with corrosion-resistant, wear-resistant, acid-resistant, solvent-resistant, heat-resistant, water-insulating and insulating, glossy, etc. It is a high-quality coating for military industry, industrial equipment, agricultural machinery, capital construction, handicrafts and high-end furniture, etc. It is also an important traditional Chinese export material. It is also one of the important materials traditionally exported by China, which is famous for its high quantity and good quality.

Lacquer tree growing environment:

Lacquer tree is a positive species, like warm and humid climate, avoid the wind, grow at an altitude of 800-3000 meters, the wind to the sun and moist mountain slopes within the forest. The most suitable conditions for the growth and development of lacquer tree is the average annual temperature of about 13.0 ℃, the average temperature of the coldest month 2.5-5.0 ℃, the extreme minimum temperature -10.0 ℃, the annual rainfall of 700-1200 millimeters, the relative humidity of more than 75%.

The sandy loam soil which is fertile, loose and well ventilated is most suitable for the growth of lacquer tree. Lacquer tree is adaptable, with a certain degree of resistance to low temperature and drought, in the average annual temperature of 8-12 ℃, the annual cumulative temperature of 3300-5000 ℃, the lowest temperature -20 ℃ or more, the annual sunshine of 1500-2500 hours of natural conditions, lacquer tree can grow.

An average annual precipitation of about 500 millimeters, relative humidity of more than 70% is the necessary conditions for the growth and development of lacquer trees. Usually, when the average annual precipitation is less than 550 millimeters, the lacquer tree can not grow normally; in the area where the average annual temperature is more than 20℃ or less than 7℃, there are few lacquer trees.

The lacquer tree does not require high soil conditions, the soil pH value to be neutral or weakly acidic is appropriate, and it can grow in the gray sandstone brown soil, yellow-brown loam soil; if the soil is sticky, poor permeability, it is easy to accumulate water, resulting in lacquer tree moldy root rot phenomenon, or even death. In acidic soil, the growth of lacquer tree is slow, but in neutral calcareous limestone soil lacquer tree grows faster.

Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia - Lacquer