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Men collecting varnish from the Chinese lacquer tree
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Men collecting varnish from the Chinese lacquer tree
Chinese men collecting varnish from the Chinese lacquer tree, Toxicodendron vernicifluum, using bamboo pipes. One man stirs collected varnish in a pan while another eats from a bowl with chopsticks. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Andrea Freschi after Antoine Cardon from Henri-Leonard-Jean-Baptiste Bertin and Jean Baptiste Joseph Bretons China, Its Costumes, Arts, Manufactures, etc. Howlett and Brimmer, London, 1824
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Media ID 23164156
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Andrea Antoine Arts Bamboo Baptiste Bertin Bowl Breton Cardon Chopsticks Collector Freschi Henri Leonard Jean Baptiste Lacquer Pipe Varnish Toxicodendron
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This hand-colored copperplate engraving by Andrea Freschi, after Antoine Cardon, depicts a scene of Chinese men collecting varnish from the Chinese lacquer tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum). The men are deeply engrossed in their work, with one man stirring the collected varnish in a pan while another takes a break, eating from a bowl using chopsticks. The use of bamboo pipes to extract the varnish from the tree is a testament to the traditional methods used in the production of Chinese lacquer. Lacquer, a resin obtained from the sap of the Chinese lacquer tree, has been used in China for thousands of years for various purposes, including as a decorative coating for furniture, utensils, and other household items. The process of collecting and preparing the varnish was a labor-intensive and time-consuming task, requiring great skill and patience. The intricate details of the engraving show the men in traditional Chinese clothing, adding to the authenticity of the scene. The use of hand-coloring further enhances the visual appeal of the print, making it a beautiful and fascinating glimpse into the past. This engraving is from the publication "China, Its Costumes, Arts, Manufactures, etc." by Henri-Leonard-Jean-Baptiste Bertin and Jean Baptiste Joseph Breton, published in London in 1824. It provides a valuable record of Chinese culture and industry during the early 19th century and is a testament to the rich artistic heritage of the time.
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