Black lacquer vase with mother-of-pearl floral inlay, Chinese decorative art

This vase represents a traditional Chinese decorative technique combining black lacquer with mother-of-pearl inlay, featuring cherry blossom or plum blossom motifs. The style became particularly popular during the mid-20th century as export pieces, combining traditional craftsmanship with designs appealing to Western markets. These pieces were often produced in workshops specializing in lacquerware, where artisans would carefully inlay pieces of shell into multiple layers of lacquer to create luminous floral patterns. Such vases appeal to collectors of Asian decorative arts, particularly those interested in mid-century Chinese export pieces and traditional lacquerware techniques. The combination of the dramatic black background with iridescent shell inlay creates striking visual contrast that makes these pieces popular as decorative accents in both traditional and contemporary interiors. Collectors value these items for their craftsmanship, aesthetic beauty, and representation of traditional Chinese artistic techniques adapted for international markets.