The Art of Lacquer: More Than Just Beauty in Your Hands

Lacquerware 101 Lacquer, also known as natural lacquer, raw lacquer, earth lacquer, or China lacquer, is broadly referred to as Chinese lacquer. It is a natural resin coating derived from the milky white, viscous sap collected by carefully incising the bark of lacquer trees. This sap is then processed to create a coating that is entirely natural. A poem once praised it: "Raw lacquer, clear as oil, its treasure-like sheen illuminates the face; it shimmers with tiger-stripe hues, and rises like a fishing hook; penetrating three parts deep, its luster forever remains." This describes the physical properties of lacquer, its resistance to corrosion and permeability.