Mengqian Liu

Mengqian Liu

August 23, 2026

Chengdu lacquerware, Aesthetic characteristics, Aesthetic value, Intangible cultural heritage, Transmission pathways.

Objective: To address the current problems in the development of Chengdu lacquerware in contemporary society and restore the vitality of traditional intangible cultural heritage handicrafts in modern times, this paper will study the aesthetic value of Chengdu lacquerware from the perspective of intangible cultural heritage and explore diverse paths for its innovative inheritance and sustainable development. Methods: First, through a review of the literature and analysis of physical examples, we have summarized the historical development of Chengdu lacquerware and identified the current bottlenecks in its development. Secondly, based on related theories of formal aesthetics, we will study the creative logic and formal rules of the work more deeply in the four areas of material origin, decorative colour, form and style, and essential technique. Finally, through the innovative Design of a series of cultural and creative products, specifically incense burners for modern life, we will empirically verify the theoretical system of inheritance and transmission. The results show that the aesthetic value of Chengdu lacquerware contains many aspects, such as material texture, decorative language, formal order and technical perfection of the work, as well as cultural connotations and lifestyle aesthetics embedded in its craft tradition. Based on the above systematic analysis of aesthetic characteristics, we have identified the main reasons for the lack of spread in recent years. Through new design ideas, useful daily functions, collaboration with various sectors of industry, digital communication and other strategies, we can expand the application scope and market adaptability of Chengdu lacquerware, so this paper proposes an all-round transmission path for Chengdu lacquerware that integrates aesthetic reconstruction, functional transformation, product innovation, industrial collaboration and digital dissemination. Provide theoretical basis and new development path for the creative transformation and new life of traditional handicrafts and intangible cultural heritage. It can also promote the new life and value addition of traditional Chinese handicrafts. 

© 2026, the Authors. Published by ISCCAC

This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license