Lacquerware relics are important carriers of the material and spiritual heritage of Chinese civilization. Owing to their complex material systems and sophisticated craftsmanship, accurate analysis of their structures, materials and manufacturing techniques is a fundamental prerequisite for cultural relic conservation, restoration, and the inheritance of traditional craftsmanship. Traditional approaches based on empirical identification and documentary research alone cannot fully reveal the microstructural and compositional information of lacquerware, making modern scientific analysis a core methodology in this field. This paper systematically reviews the methodological framework, application achievements and current challenges in the scientific study of lacquerware relics. From the perspectives of structural characterization and analyses of organic and inorganic raw materials, it summarizes the application of techniques such as cross-sectional microscopic observation, SEM-EDS, X-ray CT, FTIR, Py-GC/MS and Raman spectrometry. The study demonstrates that an integrated research model combining multiple analytical techniques and complementary non-destructive and micro-destructive methods can effectively achieve comprehensive analysis of lacquerware layered structures, material composition, craftsmanship details, and aging characteristics. From the perspective of materials science, the study further identifies several major challenges in current research. These include the unclear molecular mechanisms underlying raw lacquer film formation and aging, insufficient understanding of the synergistic film forming and aging behavior of lacquer-oil composite systems, difficulties in reconstructing quantitative formulation of core raw materials, and the need for further investigation into the detection and functional roles of minor additives. This review aims to outline the framework for lacquerware studies and provide scientific support and functional roles for lacquerware conservation and its craftsmanship transmission.