Lacquer Artifacts
Lacquer over wood. Little bit of history on Burmese lacquer pieces:
A black lacquer is the most commonly used, but a red lacquer can also be seen. An artist first begins with a bamboo or wood base. He then coats with a layer of lacquer mixed with ashes and leaves it in a cellar to dry. He repeats this procedure until there are 5 layers; then he adds two more layers of pure lacquer. When it comes time to add a color, an artist scratches out lines suited for one color with a very fine knife, then mixes one dye with water creating a kind of paste and spreads the paste over the item.
After letting it set for several days, he wipes off that color except what remains in the scratched lines, and starts over with the next color. This continues until all the colors are added. He then polishes the piece with fine talcum powder to make the item shine.
If you’re interested in an item, please email president@friendsofburma.org and include the item number, description, or link. Please note that shipping and handling costs are not included in the listed price.
4 1/4 inches diameter, 2 3/4 inches tall. Traditional lacquerware finish with three colors. Very thin and flexible. I was told the base is woven horse hair. Very good detail. Burmese zodiac
9 inch diameter. (227 mm) Burmese Chinthe. The Chinthe is a mythological beast, a sort of lion-dragon and found at the entrances of temples. It is also found on modern Burmese coins. The gold is real gold. The Burmese are able to beat gold into very thin sheets—the thinnest in the world! And that gold is what is on this plaque. Some repair on edge. Tape hanger on back so it can be hung on the wall.
Item number: 7
Beautiful Lacquer Plaque 13 by 9 inches. Black with two colors of inlay—blue and yellow and with genuine gold leaf.
Item number: 6
Detailed foot of the Buddha. Each symbol means something. Real gold leaf.
Item number: 2
7 inch by 4 ½ inches. (177 x 112 mm) Burmese ox cart with driver and lady. The gold is real gold. The Burmese are able to beat gold into very thin sheets—the thinnest in the world! And that gold is what is on this plaque.
Item number: 1