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Issue No.1 What Is Natural Lacquer?
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(2025)
1. About Natural Lacquer
2. Tools Introduction
3. Production Process
4. About History
1. About Natural Lacquer
Natural lacquer is a resinous sap secreted by lacquer trees, classified as a renewable natural resource. Similar to natural rubber, lacquer plays an essential
role in both nature and human life due to its unique physical and chemical properties. Globally, trees capable of producing lacquer sap are primarily found in parts of Asia, North America and Central America, with China being one of the major native regions. China also have a rich tradition of lacquer application and craftsmanship.
Lacquer can be applied to almost any surface: wood, bamboo, stone, metal, leather, and even in the form of bodiless lacquer, where the first few layers are painted on top of a body which is removed, so the final object is only lacquer itself. Once dried, lacquer exhibits extraordinary strength and durability, combining beauty and versatility with strong resistance to water, acids, alkalis, and abrasion. Due to its durability and beauty, lacquer has been used for both everyday items and artistic creations.
However, working with lacquer is extremely challenging. Besides the inconvenience of its being such a potent allergen, it must be painted on in very thin layers because of the way it dries. If the layers are at all thick only the outer surface will react with oxygen to harden, leaving the inside liquid. As a result, to build up the thickness of 0.5 to 1.8 cm needed for decoration can require dozens, or even hundreds of layers. Each layer must be carefully painted, dried, and polished, and take one to two days. Just preparing an item can take months or years. But everything has its worth.
2. Tools Introduction
The tools used in lacquer production are diverse; here are some of the most common ones:
Brush Made from Hair:
A unique tool in lacquer art, crafted from long human hair. It is soft and highly absorbent, allowing for even application of lacquer without leaving brush marks.
Scraper:
Used for mixing lacquer and smoothing putty. It comes in various materials, including horn, plastic, wood, and metal.
Orange Oil:
Serves as both a thinner and a cleaner, used for cleaning lacquer brushes and removing lacquer from the skin.
Sieve:
Used to filter dry lacquer powder, carbon powder, lime, and similar materials. Mesh sizes range from 14 to 120 and should be selected based on the fineness of the material particles.
Sandpaper:
Used for polishing lacquer surfaces. Different grits of sandpaper provide varying effects depending on the desired finish.
3. Production Process
Lacquer making is crafted from natural materials, making it a sustainable practice that is free from harmful side effects and environmentally friendly.
The traditional production process mainly includes the following steps: Substrates Making, fabric lamination, putty application (using diatomaceous earth mixed with lacquer to reinforce the substrates), lacquer absorption, lacquering, decorative texturing and polishing.
Sanding and drying are integral to all steps of the process, requiring specific conditions such as maintaining a temperature between 25-30°C and relative humidity between 75%-85%. Each lacquer layer must dry for at least 48 hours, resulting in a minimum production cycle of two months for a complete piece.
Chinese lacquer art has a wide variety of decorative techniques. In the Ming Dynasty book Xiu shi lu (Record of Lacquer Decoration), a total of 497 techniques are documented, including drawing gold, inlay (mainly mother-of-pearl), carved lacquer, filled-in, marquetry, and xipiqi, These techniques can be used independently to create distinct lacquerware styles or combined for a more intricate expression.
4. About History
The lacquer culture in China has a profound history, tracing back to the Neolithic period (circa 5000 BCE). Initially, lacquerware was used for everyday items, valued for its practicality. Over time, the craft evolved into artistic decorative techniques and became an integral part of ritual culture during the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, serving religious ceremonies, imperial banquets and other significant events. The Tang Dynasty marked the peak of lacquer art, with technique inlay (mother-of-pearl) showcasing both luxury and exquisite craftsmanship. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, lacquer art reached its zenith in complexity and refinement, particularly through techniques like carved lacquer and drawing gold. The development and preservation of lacquer craftsmanship represent the evolution of sophisticated skills in ancient Chinese culture and continue to be a vital part of cultural heritage today.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, with the expansion of maritime trade, Chinese lacquerware was exported in large quantities through ports such as Guangzhou and Ningbo. It made its way to European countries, where it became a symbol of luxury, adorning the homes of nobility and royalty. The aristocracy and elite society were deeply interested in lacquerware, fueling the rise of the "Chinoiserie" trend. Under the influence of this trend, European craftsmen not only collected Chinese lacquerware but also drew inspiration from it, developing new techniques such as "Vernis Martin" and "Japanning." These innovations integrated the aesthetic essence of lacquerware into European art, revitalising lacquer craftsmanship and enriching the history of cultural exchange.