The Tradition of Lacquer Ware

Vietnam is well know World wide for its traditional fine arts and there is nothing more exquisite than the quality lacquer ware found in many centres through out the country.

Lacquering is an age old technique which was first developed in China in the 4^th century BC. It is not known exactly when it was introduced into Vietnam, it was an intricate part of traditional life for generation but methods were closely guarded and passed down through families. It was not until the 18^th century that the technique became more accessible and Vietnamese lacquer ware became recognized World wide.

Even to this day some of the finest lacquer ware is produced in workshops where all the products are made completely by hand using the old techniques. However in some regions modern technology has been introduced and it is more common to see automated mass produced methods being used.

Lacquer is a natural resin that is extracted from trees which are found in several Asian countries but the product from the Rhus seccedanea tree grown in the Phu Tho province in Vietnam is recognized as the superior quality and most sought after by many craftsmen.

The 'lacquer tree' is deciduous and grows to a height of 10 metres and is 40 centimetres in circumference. The raw lacquer is extracted by placing incisions into the trunk of the tree and when the wound attempts to heal the sap/lacquer forms and is collected.

When lacquer is first taken from the tree it is white in colour - as it is exposed to the air it takes on a brown colour progressing to black as it dries. Once hardened the lacquer forms a lustrous surface which is imperious to moisture, acid and general abrasion . Apart from being a practical material it is ideal for coating the beautiful objects we know as 'lacquer ware'

The process to create lacquer ware is extremely labour intensive

Each piece goes through at least 20 stages taking up to 100 days. This process is the same regardless the size of the object being crafted, from the largest piece of furniture to the smallest bowl.

The first step in the manufacturing process is to select a suitable base and this is usually a variety of wood depending on the item being made. For larger items such as furniture and screens , rose, cherry or walnut is used and the smaller items are crafted from jack and wood from some fruit trees.

The shaped wood item is filled with a layer of natural lacquer which is left to penetrate through to the core of the wood to protect against rot and insect infestation. The piece is then covered with gauze to ensure further protection. The gauze is hidden with five layers of lacquer, each layer is completely dried and rubbed down with fine abrasive and water. This process is repeated many times in some cases up to twenty. The repeated coating of lacquer and rubbing together with the final polishing technique produces the exquisite lustre we see on each piece of lacquer ware.

There are three materials most widely used in decorating lacquer ware :

Mother of pearl shell - is cut into various shapes and sizes about 2mm thick which are inlaid onto the object being crafted. This results in the pearl shell protruding from the surface in places. A mixture of natural lacquer and plaster is used to build the surface painstakingly step by step until it is even.

When the shell has been inlaid into the pre designed pattern the finishing details are added using a sharp pointed knife until every detail is complete.

A further ten layers of lacquer are then added one layer at a time. Each layer must fully dry and be rubbed until a perfectly smooth surface is achieved.

The final stage is the all important polishing which gives lacquer ware the high gloss finish

Duck egg shell – is used to create the most exquisite designs. The shell used is from the thicker hatched duck's egg. This shell is naturally white which gives the opportunity to use a multitude of natural mineral pigments mixed with chemical dyes.

The results are multi coloured intricate patterns which when finished with the lacquer coating take on a life of their own.

Each piece of shell is cut and coloured by hand before it is laid onto the piece.

The lacquer is then applied layer by layer until the desired finish is achieved. The final step in the process is the polishing

Mineral Pigments : are mixed with lacquer and hand painted directly onto the treated wooden object. When the design is complete the same process of applying the lacquer layer by layer is applied

Many pieces are decorated using a combination of all three methods – inlaid mother of pearl shell, coloured duck shell and hand painting. The result is an unique item of great beauty.

After the lacquer has been built up, the surface of the piece is smooth but it still doesn't have the luster we know to be lacquer ware. This is when the all important polishing technique is applied using the palm of the hand together with abrasive agents such as charcoal and iron oxide. Polishing hardened lacquer ware with these techniques brings it to a high gloss.

Caring for your Lacquer Ware 

Lacquer ware although highly decorative is extremely durable and if maintained correctly it will retain its beauty for many years.

To care for  lacquer ware you should :

Avoid direct sunlight and extreme heat. Ultraviolet light is particularly destructive for lacquer ware, it causes fading.

For decorative items clean with a soft dry cloth.  For practical items such as plates and vessels clean with warm mild soapy water and dry with a soft cloth.

Never use chemicals or extremely hot water to clean your lacquer ware

The modern lacquer ware industry is well established in Vietnam boasting constant yearly growth, with 80% of total sales being exported world wide.  Vietnamese lacquer ware has gained recognition for its durability, craftsmanship and exquisite design.

Lacquer ware products are popular decorative and practical items that are ideal stock for home ware outlets, gift shops and reward programs.  If you would like more information on how to import lacquer ware or other gift and home ware items from Vietnam contact us  to discuss how you can trade offshore and substantially increase your profits.

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