A wood-based red lacquer bowl made 6,000 - 7,000 years ago revealed the history of lacquer techniques. Early pieces were in simple red and black. During the Warring States Period (476 BC - 221 BC) to the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220), lacquer ware popularity peaked, demonstrating exquisite techniques and vivid patterns such as animals and clouds. Lacquer relics excavated in the Mawangdui Han Tombs, which have a history of over 2,000 years, amaze visitors with their pearl-like sheen. The Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties (1271-1911) were also prosperous periods during which time more than 400 varieties of lacquer ware were used as common implements and as ornaments.

A few places such as Fuzhou and Pingyao are especially known for originality in lacquer techniques. Pingyao, the ancient town in Shanxi Province, produces lacquer ware, which features luster polished by craftsmen's palms. This simple but radiant artwork ranks among the most refined.

  The general process of a Pingyao lacquer ware includes five courses: substrating, priming, lacquering, painting and setting. Substrating produces pine wood substrate for the products, which are usually furniture and dishware, and the priming stage wraps them with hemp and covers them with a mixture of parget and pork blood, according to guild traditions. This first layer of dope protects the grounding while providing a smooth surface for further procedures.