Although the relatively thick metal

Although the relatively thick metal décors levelled with the rest of the surfaces on the two objects suggested the application of the so-called jinyin pingtuo method, lacquer, a major ingredient of this decorative method, was not identified by Py(HMDS)-GC-MS in any of the four samples taken. These results question the use of lacquer on these objects, and more generally in the jinyin pingtuo technique as usually described. The detection of shellac and oil in the bronze mirror aligns with other studies on similar objects, whereas pr oteinaceousmaterials, such as whole egg as main ingredient of the decorative layers of the silver bowl, appear less usual.