This lobed bowl or bu, is fitted inside with a shallow tray. A mixture of clay and lacquer applied in layers strengthens the core of bamboo and wood. A final coat of fine quality lacquer gives the lacquerware its characteristic black colour, while lacquer mixed with cinnabar pigment to achieve the red colour. Lacquerware included a wide range of utensils including water vessels, cosmetic containers, flower vases, food storage and eating utensils. It also served a variety of important religious functions, from preserving Buddhist manuscripts, to the presentation of food to the monastery.
