Searching for blood in Chinese lacquerware: zhū xiě huī 豬 血 灰

Abstract

The study gives an overview of the tests and analyses undertaken in the past 20 years to establish the presence of blood in the foundation layers of Chinese lacquer artefacts and also shows the development of analytical methods over that period. When undertaking the conservation of lacquer objects it is crucial to know the type of binding medium as this influences the selection of any consolidants that may be required in the treatment. Microchemical tests to identify blood using benzidine and luminol, various chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques and DNA analyses were assessed on selected Chinese lacquer objects, and the results gained are summarized.

Radiocarbon Dating of Asian Lacquers: Molecular Characterization and Assessment of a Pretreatment Method Prior to Accelerator Mass Spectrometry

“…Analyses on the black lacquers of objects B and D showed protein compounds correlated to blood. Pig blood is a common component used in the foundation layers of Chinese lacquered objects and its use can be traced back to the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) (Heginbotham et al 2016; Miklin-Kniefacz et al 2016). Blood was likely used as an isolation layer between the wooden base and the foundation layers or it could have been used as a binder material for the foundation layers.…”

Application of Different Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Methods in the Characterization of Lime-Based Mortars with Oxblood

“…One possibility for the formation of ACC in lime mortars is that the proteins rich in glutamic acid, serine, glycine, and carbohydrates in bovine blood 26,61 could combine with calcium ion in solution, lowering down the supersaturation of solution and inhibit crystallization, 62 thus helping to stabilize ACC. 43,63 Additionally, the content of magnesium ions and silica in the raw materials of pozzolan, cocciopesto , and sand in the specimens could also contribute to the stabilization of biogenic ACC.…”

Comparative Study on UV Degradation of Black Chinese Lacquers with Different Additives

“…In the Chinese traditional finishing process, a ground layer is often applied between the Chinese lacquer and the wood to enhance the stability of the lacquer in the environment [ 32 , 33 ]. For this purpose, fresh pig blood was mixed with a small amount of lime and water to create colloidal pig blood, which served as an adhesive for the ground layer [ 34 ]. The jelly-like pig blood was combined with three different types of brick powder (coarse, medium, and fine) at a 1:1 ratio, resulting in three different types of putty.…”