Flying Fish, Waves, and Red Lacquer

Carved Red Lacquer Circular Box with Sea and Flying Fish Design in the collection of the Shanghai Museum

This Lacquer Box in the collection of the Shanghai Museum is a classic example of imperial lacquerware from the Yongle period (1403-1424) of the Ming Dynasty. With its cinnabar-like intense red color, flowing wave patterns, and vigorous flying fish imagery, it instantly transports the viewer into a mythical deep-sea world.

Carved Red Lacquer (Tihong) is the most representative technique of carved lacquer art. Artisans apply dozens, sometimes over a hundred, layers of red lacquer onto a wooden or metal base. Each layer must be air-dried and polished. After sufficient thickness is achieved, they use carving knives like brushes to sculpt three-dimensional patterns into the lacquer layers once they have solidified but before fully hardening. The entire process takes months or even years, embodying astonishing patience and absolute precision in carving skill.

The carving on this box clearly divides into three realms: sky, earth, and water. The lid top depicts a sky adorned with auspicious clouds, while the body and sides of the lid show turbulent sea waves. The most striking feature is the flying fish leaping from the waves — scaled, with wings spread, perfectly combining the agility of sea fish and the majesty of auspicious beasts, symbolizing freedom and good fortune traversing water and sky.

Today, this circular box rests in the museum, its vermilion lacquer still vividly preserved. It is both a witness to the peak era of Chinese lacquer art and a source of inspiration for contemporary design.