Colored Lacquer Case of No. 2 Baoshan Tomb in Jingmen, Hubei Province

When this colored lacquer cased was excavated from the No. 2 Baoshan Tomb in Jingmen, Hubei Province, it contained red pepper, which was used as fragrant incense, bronze mirrors, bone hair clasps, shells, etc. So it is believed to be a make-up case.

The interior of this case was painted red and the exterior black. On the exterior faces of the case, we can also find exquisite patterns in crimson, orange, yellowish brown and cyan. Apart from the abstract pattern assembling clouds and animals, there is an attention-grabbing group images which is believed to a scene of a welcoming ceremony, including 26 characters, four chariots, and animals such as wild geese, dogs and pigs. The sizes and positions of the characters were well-organized, those in the lower line supposed to be nearer to the viewers while those in the upper positions farther, so that a sense of spaciousness was created. The group of images forms a cycle along the exterior faces of the case. The figures, horses and chariots seem to be moving when the appreciators move their sights around the case.