Exploring thitsi in Qing Dynasty lacquerware: Insights from a preliminary study

Abstract This investigation provides a meticulous examination of the organic materials employed in the construction of a Qing Dynasty Coromandel lacquer screen housed at the Jinhua Museum in Zhejiang Province, China. Utilizing a combination of analytical techniques, including microscopic cross-sectional observations, systematic layer-by-layer sampling, and thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation pyrolysis gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (THM-Py-GC/MS), the study has provided insights into the complex material composition involved in the fabrication of the screen. The analytical results indicate the presence of multiple organic components within the layers of the lacquer screen. The lacquer film layer was found to contain thitsi , tung oil, camphor, and cedar oil, while the underlying lacquer ash layer comprised urushi , tung oil, and blood. This study presents two important observations that enhance our understanding of the diversity and complexity of lacquer applications in historical Chinese craftsmanship. Firstly, it reports the detection of thitsi in Chinese lacquerware artifacts, a finding that has not been previously documented. Secondly, it identifies an unusual sequence in the lacquer application process, with thitsi found in the outermost lacquer layer and urushi in the foundational ash layer. These observations invite a reconsideration of earlier assumptions about material usage and provide scientific data that may contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the technological variety in ancient Chinese lacquerware.