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Chinese Cinnabar Lacquer Cuspidor
- This incredibly rare 18th century Chinese zhadou is carved of fine cinnabar lacquer
- Also known as a cuspidor, the covered bowl was crafted during the Kangxi period
- This rare container would have only been used by the imperial family or officials at court
- To find such a highly detailed Kangxi-period vessel in this excellent condition is exceptional
- Get complete item description here
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Early 18th century (Kangxi Dynasty)
6 ¼” wide x 3 ¼” high
Cinnabar has been revered for its color all over the world. It has been found in the royal burial chambers of the Mayas, in the rituals of India, and in the ruins of ancient Greece and Rome. In China, cinnabar and gold were the two most important elements in alchemy. Mined since the Neolithic Age, cinnabar is the ore of mercury, and as such, it can be incredibly toxic, especially when mining. In fact, during the Roman Empire, miners at Spain’s Almadén mine in Spain were frequently exposed to mercury fumes, and the subsequent, often fatal, sickness was considered an occupational hazard.
The most popular known use of cinnabar is in Chinese carved lacquer-ware, a technique that is believed to have originated in the Song Dynasty, in which cinnabar is ground to a powder and added to clear lacquer. As with mining, there was inherent danger of mercury poisoning for those who carved the lacquer, as mercury was also released into the air when artisans ground the pigments. Most antique cinnabar lacquer-ware in existence has been coated with a clear protective film, so that mercury is prevented from leaking out of it, especially if handling of it is kept to a minimum.
A spittoon of the same type of construction is illustrated in Treasures of the Chinese Scholar by Fang Jing Pei, page 151
| Period: | 18th Century |
| Origin: | Asia |
| Type: | Tobacco Accessories |
| Depth: | 6.25 in. (15.88 cm) |
| Width: | 6.25 in. (15.88 cm) |
| Height: | 3.25 in. (8.26 cm) |
Buy With Confidence
For over a century, we've placed important art, rare jewels and exceptional objects with more than 14,000 collectors worldwide, and have been recognized by trusted publications including Robb Report, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and more.
On Approval
Examine select works in person before you commit
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Full credit plus 5% annual appreciation for five years
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