LEARNING
ABOUT LACQUER
The term
“lacquer” often appears in association with Asian furniture, but not many
people know what it actually signifies. To most, it just means a glossy
black-painted finish on a surface. But there is more to the term than that.
When someone is considering purchasing something labeled “lacquer” it would
help to know what they are looking at.
Specifically, the word “lacquer” comes from the Sanskrit word “laksha” which means
“wax.” In ancient India, the resinous
secretion of the Lac insect was used as a wood finish. A similar finish is made
from the resin of an indigenous tree in China that is called the “lacquer tree”
or the “varnish tree.” In modern usage, shellac finishes are lac-based, while
lacquer is made with polymers or acrylic compounds dissolved in lacquer
thinners. When the thinner solvent evaporates, the residue compounds form a
durable, hard finish. This beautiful finish can be resistant to abrasion and
water, aspects that make it appealing on furniture.
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| Antique Asian Black Lacquer Cabinets at Terra Nova Asian Furniture Los Angeles |
In China,
many wooden objects would be covered in lacquer. The Chinese artisans often
mixed powdered cinnabar into the lacquer to produce the notable red
lacquerware. The black lacquer that used on lacquered Asian furniture is achieved by adding
iron hydroxide to the mix. Because of the thickness of many lacquers, artisans
developed a style of carving into many layers of lacquer. Others might inlay
mother-of-pearl, or gold or silver leaf to accent the glossy lacquer finish.
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| Beautiful detail view of an antique lacquered coffee table at Terra Nova Asian Furniture |
Lacquer
finishes from Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and Taiwan tend to be softer than
those from China and Japan. Their finishes are made from resins of the Thitsi
tree and do not contain urushiol. Interestingly, Burmese lacquer (that is, that
from Myanmar) tends to set more slowly than other lacquers, and is frequently
applied by the artisan’s hands rather than using brushes.
In the 17th
century, as more Asian artifacts were brought to Europe, the glossy black
lacquers attracted much notice. This finish was compared to black enamel paints
that were already known to Europeans. The association of thick, glossy black
varnishes with Asian origins led to the use of the terms “japanned” or “japanning”
for pieces that featured such finishes, whether they actually had been produced
in Asia or not.
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| Detailed view of the Antique Asian Black Lacquer Cabinets, available at Terra Nova Asian Furniture Los Angeles |
A lacquer
surface or finish can add great beauty and durability to a piece of furniture.
Such items are well worth considering adding to the home environment. Come by and see for yourself! We are located at 2251 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064 - or call us at (310) 478-0228. For more information, visit our local Yelp site: http://www.yelp.com/biz/terra-nova-designs-los-angeles-2
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