LACQUERWARE-

Is an ancient and involved craft dating back as long as 3,000 years. The process utlizes two raw materials; cinnabar and Thitsi. Cinnabar is the common name of Red Mercury Sulfide the common ore of Mercury. The ore (also refered to as vermilion) is very toxic in it's raw form, however, becomes not harmful through its suspension in lacquer. Thitsi is the name of the lacquer yielding tree native to Burma, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The trees must be at least ten years of age to be able to harvest resin from. Thitsi resin has a Chinese and Japanese counterpart which produces a harder, yet more toxic lacquer resin. Burmese lacquer is safe to work with and does not cause allergic reactions. The hardening of the resin occurs through intense humidity over a long period of time causing the slow oxidization of the liquid resin into a hard shell.

Burmese Lacquerware-

"Lacquer has many of the characteristics of modern plastic. It is light, waterproof, easily molded, and dries to a hard slate. It can be applied to virtually any surface. In finer wares it remains flexible, tolerates considerable use, and even withstands hot water. Odourless, mildew and decay resistant, lacquer resin stiffens, strengthens, and preserves the surface to which it is applied. It is decorative, inexpensive, hygenic, and can be painted, moulded, and carved. When polished it takes on a flawless sheen. In Burma its use is ubiquitous."

-Sylvia Fraser-Lu

Burmese Lacquerware