China was the birth place of lacquers. The Chinese have used lacquers continuously for more than 7000 years since Neolithic times, Hemudu Culture. The ancient, precise, diverse lacquer technique was considered as one of the biggest contributions of China to world civilization.

During the Warring period, Qin and Han dynasty which was considered as the first peak of Chinese lacquers history, Chinese lacquers experienced rapid development. At that time lacquers were used extensively as sacrifices, funerary objects or daily necessities. A huge number of painted lacquers were excavated. The period from Song dynasty to Qing dynasty was regarded as the second peak of the development of lacquers. A wide variety and a huge number of lacquers sprang up at that time, creating an important and prosperity period of lacquers.

In order to carry forward the traditional Chinese lacquer culture, In a Myriad of Forms: The Exhibition of Ancient Chinese Lacquers is held in Shanghai Museum. More than 200 pieces of ancient Chinese lacquers were selected from Shanghai Museum. Besides, unearthed lacquers from Zhejiang Provincial Museum, Changzhou Museum, Fuzhou Museum and Datong Museum were also displayed in the exhibition correspondingly. We hope to take this opportunity to promote the cognition and research of Chinese lacquers.