"This makes it highly suitable for daily use, while its aesthetic appeal remains strong, ranging from understated elegant pieces to those adorned with elaborate designs," he says.

According to him, the San Francisco museum's lacquer objects are of exceptional quality and provide a comprehensive overview of the craftsmanship and artistry spanning dynasties.

"They vary greatly in size, ranging from exquisitely small artworks to large-scale ones, such as the massive Coromandel screen from the Qing Dynasty," he says.

"Simple and understated lacquerware with regular shapes was popular during the Song Dynasty, just like the mainstream aesthetics of porcelain from that era, and the carved lacquerware techniques flourished in the later dynasties of the Yuan and Ming."

A round, carved lacquer box adorned with gardenia patterns bearing the signature of Zhang Cheng, a renowned craftsman of the Yuan Dynasty, is one such elegant artwork from the San Francisco museum's collection.