Making of Lacquerware

Lacquerware is made from a tree resign which is harvested much like rubber. The Lacquer tree (Melanorrhea usitata Anacardiaceous) is cut in to the stem to allow the resin to flow out. Unlike rubber however this resin hardens quickly when in contact whit the air. This resin is then beaten for many hours to make it soft again.

To for example make a lacquerware bowl several steps are needed to prepare for the finished product.

• The first step is always to construct a base form from either bamboo or Teak strips.
• This form is the dipped in lacquer combined  with ashes or dirt to give the basic shape
• This shape is sanded down after which the next layer is applied.
• The final layers consist of pure natural lacquer to provide a silky finish
• The product is the polished and then given to the artist.
• Artist can paint or engrave the most stunning designs on the basic forms.

As much as 30 layers can be used for the Top quality products (mostly used religiously).
On average commercial type lacquerware (for sale locally) has 9 to 12 layers of lacquer.

Our current product line in lacquerware is produced in Thailand, Burma, Vietnam. Most of our pieces are unique and take some time to make. This process is still fully done as a "village factory" meaning that some families will prepare the base forms, others will apply the lacquer, then it goes to the artist in the village after which it is assembled and sold in a central place.

See some of our products here: Lacquerware

History of Lacquerware

Lacquerware has been in Asia for thousand of years. Evidence has been successively discovered to show that lacquer was used in Japan from the Stone Age 5,000 to 6,000 years ago. During the early stage, it was used as an adhesive to attach the arrowhead to an arrow.

Around 2000 bc lacquer was already being used to coat utensils, hair combs and Ancient China had already developed the techniques for a high level of "lacquer art."
Lacquerware spread through Asia closely linked to the spread of Buddhism and can therefore be found in most Buddhist countries from Burma to Japan.

From the Neolithic remains at Tuanjie Village in China a number of lacquer-painted pottery objects were found intact. They are the earliest lacquered artifacts ever discovered in China and are now kept in the Museum of Nanjing.

South east Asian lacquerware was first used to provide a weather-proof finish for temples. As lacquer provided a base for gilding and glass or pearl inlay, it was widely used for decoration in temples.

 Maintenance of Lacquerware

Although lacquerware is highly durable it is still a natural product. Following guidelines should keep your item lasting very long giving you everyday pleasure:

• Keep your lacquer out of direct sunlight and extreme heat. Ultraviolet light and extreme heat will fade the surface of the Lacquerware and allow fine cracks to form.
• Keep your lacquer in a balanced climate (no extreme temperature or humidity changes)
• If storing a lacquer piece in a fully air conditioned environment, lay some weight on your new lacquer piece until it has fully acclimatized (4 weeks). This is especially true for flat pieces like trays
• Do not use for hot, wet foods such as soups. Foods such as rice and fried noodle dishes are fine.
• Do not soak in water (vases should have a glass container slipped inside to hold the water and flowers).
• Do not use chemical cleaners, use a dry or damp cloth to gently wipe it down.
• Do not wash in a dishwasher.
• Lacquerware can be polished using a wax leather polisher available in furniture shops.

We hope you can enjoy our lacquerware pieces for many more years to come.

See some of our products here: Lacquerware