Vermilion Lacquer and Black Lacquer: Two Traditional Lacquer Colors

A juxtaposition of two traditional lacquer colors. The black lacquer is made by applying multiple layers of natural raw lacquer, then grinding it. The color is deep, and the surface is extremely smooth but not mirrored; when light hits it, it seems to sink into the surface and then faintly emerge. The vermilion lacquer is a red mixed with cinnabar, a dark orange-red, not a bright true red. It also undergoes multiple layers of application, and the surface has a warm luster. In the image, the two are adjacent: a small vermilion lacquer box rests on a black lacquer tray, creating a strong but not harsh color contrast. Locally, the *tihong* (carved red lacquer) technique can be seen—patterns are carved into thick layers of vermilion lacquer, revealing layers of different shades of lacquer beneath the cuts. The surroundings are dark hardwood and plain walls. Avoid: uniform black and bright red from chemical coatings, making the surface a mirror-like high gloss, making the areas of the two colors equal and losing the sense of hierarchy, adding gold leaf and polychrome painting.

Translated from Chinese by AI.

一組傳統漆作的兩種顏色並置。黑漆是以天然生漆多層髹塗後研磨而成,顏色深沉,表面極為光滑但不是鏡面,光落上去時彷彿沉進表面再微弱透出。朱漆則是加入硃砂調成的紅,顏色是偏暗的橘紅,不是鮮豔的正紅;同樣經過多層髹塗,表面有溫潤的光澤。畫面中兩者相鄰:一只黑漆的托盤上放著一只朱漆的小盒,顏色對比強烈但都不刺眼。局部可以看見剔紅的做法——在厚厚的朱漆層上雕出圖案,刀口處露出下方一層層不同深淺的漆。周邊是深色的硬木與素牆。避免:使用化學塗料的均勻黑與鮮紅、把表面做成鏡面高光、讓兩色的面積相當失去主從、加入貼金與彩繪。