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Why does one lacquer cup cost more than 10 bronze cups?

CGTN

Asia;China
00:54

In the Han Dynasty, the ultimate status symbol wasn't bronze – it was lacquer. Ancient texts reveal that one decorated lacquer cup was worth 10 bronze ones. The secret? The jiazhu (dry lacquer) technique. By layering hemp and lacquer up to 40 times, artisans created vessels that were incredibly lightweight yet immensely durable.

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