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.
