What is the role of lacquer in Ming dynasty furniture besides aesthetics?

• A. Lacquer dried quickly and made furniture waterproof but offered no color.
• B. Lacquered surfaces preserved wood and added color and depth, contributing to durability.
• C. Lacquer was unavailable in Ming furniture.
• D. Lacquer made furniture heavier and less durable.

Answer: (B)

Lacquer in Ming furniture serves as a protective, long-lasting skin on the wood as well as a vehicle for color and depth. The lacquer film, built up in thin translucent layers, hardens to form a tough barrier that seals the wood from moisture and insects, reducing deterioration over time. Because the coating is colored or tinted, it enhances the visual richness by adding depth and tone while still letting the natural grain show through. This combination—preservation plus a vivid, durable finish—made lacquer especially valuable in the humid Chinese climate and contributed to the furniture’s longevity.

So, the best answer captures how lacquer both protects wood and enriches appearance, not just how it looks.