Vietnam’s Signature Handicrafts: Lacquer Painting

Highlighting an exciting new category representing one of our latest South-East Asian geographies to join Vermillion’s brand partners portfolio, Vietnam’s most famed artisanal handicraft genre - known as “sơn mài” - celebrates exquisite works of natural lacquer-based fine art painting.

 

 

Vietnamese lacquer is made from natural resin extracted from toxic sap of rhus vernicifera, trees planted mostly in Northern province of Phu Tho, enhanced by delicate embellished designs using mother–of–pearl, eggshell, metallic foil, and hand painting. With first discoveries of lacquerware dating from Neolithic era, diverse material approaches and application techniques evolved across East Asia region in China, Japan and Korea, eventually spreading into Europe via Persia and the Middle East.

 

Silver & Gold Lacquer Fusion Table and Earth Tone Stripes Lacquer Tray by MONDORO Asia-Hand

 

In Vietnam, lacquerware was revived and developed as a distinct artistic genre in the 1930s. Produced in Southern Vietnam before 1930, a turning point emerged in 1925, due to establishment of L’École Superieure de Beaux Arts d’Indochine in Hanoi by French painters. Alongside Vietnamese artists sent to Paris for training as art instructors, the school purported to educate promising grassroots artisans to the West’s advanced status of an “artist”, able to sign works as individual creators.  Student training under European approaches gradually merged with, and thus elevated, surrounding East Asian and indigenous wood-based, folk handicraft influences.

 

Luxe Metallics Bath Set and Regal Jade Lacquer Tray

 

After 1940, talented artists in combination with entrepreneurs led to establishment of famous domestic brands from Southern Vietnam. After Vietnam and France signed the Geneva Accords in 1954, senior artists worked hand in hand with younger generations to pioneer lacquer art to new frontiers, bringing about a golden age in lacquerware art history. Presented by overseas showcases in 1956 and 1959, Vietnamese lacquerware garnered international recognition as highly appreciated by critics worldwide. Subsequently, Vietnamese lacquer art took deeper root and further evolved in cities, such as Hue, Hoi An, Thu Dau Mot, and Saigon Gia Dinh.

 

All rights reserved by the original owners

 

Nguyen Gia Tri (1908 – 1993), pioneering Vietnamese lacquer artist work “Spring Garden of the South, Centre and North” was purchased in 1990 by Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee to display at HCMC Fine Arts Museum as a national treasure. US$100,000 was a first-time record value authorities spent for acquiring a domestic artwork.

Today, exports from Vietnam to Europe, America, Japan, Australia, accounts for 80% of total lacquerware industry sales.

 

All rights reserved by the original owners

 

Every piece of Vietnamese lacquerware undergoes up to 20 production stages, taking 100 days or more, resulting in lacquer as a natural plastic; resistant to water, acid, and heat, strengthening its wood core to harden, and protect against rotting or insects.

 

Set-Up Base Materials

  • Sand a wooden frame, traditionally made from indigenous timber, e.g. rose, cherry or walnut for furniture, screens or jewelry boxes; ebony for statues; jackfruit for boxes, bowls, plates, and plywood for paintings.
  • Apply base layer of lacquer to seal wood, covered with gauze layers to prevent cracks or curving until necessary thickness is achieved.
  • Sketch design onto the lacquered surface using charcoal or pencils.
  • Natural plant dyes, crushed eggshells, gold or silver metallic leaf, or mother-of-pearl can be used to add texture and depth, depicting subject matter from traditional landscapes or cultural motifs, to abstract contemporary expressions.

 

Apply Egg Shell

  • Natural duck egg shells are thoroughly washed, sundried, then pan-grilled over a charcoal fire for desired yellowish to darker brown tones.
  • On a pre-painted lacquer surface, shells are fragmented by hand then applied.

 

Inlay Mother-of-Pearl

  • Sand mollusc shells down to 2mm thickness each, draw designs over surface, then carve into small pieces with a coping saw.
  • Use pointed knife to carve out finer visual details.
  • Once inlaid, mother-of-pearl layer maybe thicker than its wood base. Apply lacquer layers until even.

 

Final Touches

  • Natural lacquer layers will be applied repeatedly for 10 to 20 layers, then dry or water polished using fine sandpaper, powdered charcoal or cuttlefish bone.
  • Between each lacquer layer drying, rub in water. Repeat until smooth.
  • Dry and cure in a well-ventilated area for several weeks or months.

 

Luxe Gilt Lacquer Mirror and Lustrous Lacquer Lamp

 

To care for your lacquerware works, keep out of direct sunlight and away from extreme heat, that fade pigments or result in cracks. Instead of cleaning chemicals, quickly rinse in mild soap and warm water, then dry immediately. Do not use hot water, or soak. Use a dry or damp cloth to gently wipe dust and moisture.