Lacquer has been used in Chinese Arts since about
200 BC. Lacquer come from the sap of a Lacquer tree ( Native to
Southern China ). It is harvested much like Maple Sap in the United
States and Canada. Lacquer is an extremely tedious process. Many
coats are needed to create a thickness that can be carved. As many
as 100 to 150 coats may be used on some pieces to achieve the
desired thickness. Each layer must dry before the next can be
applied. It takes up to 4 months to make a single piece. The most
popular coloring used in Lacquer goods is called Cinnabar, which is
made from mercury. The name comes from its dark red color. Most of
the workshops in China that made Cinnabar items have closed. There
are only a couple left in all of China.
Lacquer has been used in Chinese Arts since about
200 BC. Lacquer come from the sap of a Lacquer tree ( Native to
Southern China ). It is harvested much like Maple Sap in the United
States and Canada. Lacquer is an extremely tedious process. Many
coats are needed to create a thickness that can be carved. As many
as 100 to 150 coats may be used on some pieces to achieve the
desired thickness. Each layer must dry before the next can be
applied. It takes up to 4 months to make a single piece. The most
popular coloring used in Lacquer goods is called Cinnabar, which is
made from mercury. The name comes from its dark red color. Most of
the workshops in China that made Cinnabar items have closed. There
are only a couple left in all of China.
