Luohan Tang

Luohan Tang at the Liangyi Museum 2025

For several decades, Luohan Tang has been dedicated to bringing out of the dark caves of art history a landmark of Chinese culture: Chinese lacquer furniture. Alongside porcelain, silk, and tea, lacquer has helped paint the grand portrait of China for the world. Guarding the secrets of its natural origins and complex techniques, lacquer remained a mysterious material to the West for centuries.

Chinese lacquer furniture embodies the very spirit of China. Without concern for the time-consuming process required to complete each piece, plain natural resources are transformed through sophisticated craftsmanship to serve the refined artistic sensibilities—and often the bold creativity—of literati designers. For the most discerning patrons, such as the imperial family, artists were compelled to envision works that were both unique and precious, reflecting the personality and status of their owners.

Beyond mere technical excellence, this creative spirit is unparalleled in the realm of Chinese furniture-making and elevates these works, rightfully, to the status of art.

For this year's exhibition at the Liangyi Museum in Hong Kong, Luohan Tang will display an impressive red lacquer sedan chair, embellished with gilded engravings (qiangjin) of dragons and phoenixes among clouds. The front of the backrest is carved with a gilded five-clawed dragon, while the back depicts the true form of the Five Sacred Peaks in high relief. The soft seat is made of a gilded rattan surface. A rare feature is that just below the seat between the legs and at foot level the surface is also fastened with a gilded rattan that is furthermore adorned with the painting of a frontal five-clawed dragon. This exceptional piece may have been crafted for the comfort of an empress of the Qing Dynasty in the late 18th or 19th century.

We will also showcase an exquisite low display cabinet from the early 18th century. Persimmon in color, it is adorned with the most refined craftsmanship using the Tianqi, Qiangjin, and Caihui techniques, enhancing its elegant and lively scenes of flowers, birds, and insects. The top shelf, open on all sides, was designed to allow artworks placed there to be viewed from every angle. Positioned against a window in a lady’s apartment, the backlight would reveal the full beauty of a piece made of jade, fine porcelain, or other translucent material.