HISTORY OF LACQUER

Lacquer is a sap of a tree. “Laccifer lacca “ is the origin name of the word “lacquer” , “lakh” is sankrit  for “one hundred thousand”, referring to the hordes of insects that produce this resin. Lacquer has been found in many areas, not only in China or Japan, but also in Egypt, India, Greece more than thousand years ago.

The history of lacquer ware in China can be dated back to over 7,000 years ago during the Neolithic Age, much earlier than the use of porcelain which started in the late 3rd century. In Japan, lacquer pre-date ceramic tableware. During the Spring and Autumn Period (770- 476 B.C.) and the Warring States Period (475- 221 B.C.) lacquer ware was quite popular among the aristocracy. By the time of the Shang dynasty ( 16^th-11^th centuries BC ), lacquer sophisticated painting designs was already a highly developed art.

Lacquer Tree (google.com)

Leaves and flowers of the lacquer tree (google.com)

In Vietnam, many excavations show lacquer has been found for more than 2,000 years. Cultural exchange has existed, with limits, since ancient and medieval time. Through immigration, trade and gifts between royal courts and high officials from China and Vietnam, the technique of lacquer has been brought to Vietnam, developed under the Ly dynasty (10^th-11^th century), a prosperous and independent time, when  lacquer had been used for tremendous works on new splendid, royal palaces and pagodas. All aspects of painting were well-developed during the Le dynasty  (15^th century), rose out not only popular domestic, but widely appreciated abroad. Painted wooden Buddha statues, clay statues painted and inlaid with gold; altars; thrones; doors etc.. from these dynasties still survived by times.

Since 1930s, Vietnamese craftsmen and artists have revolutionized techniques so that lacquer ware become an art form and color has been brought to handicrafts. The creative effort of the artists is never ending.

One of the advantages is that Vietnam has its own special lacquer, a wonderful natural product. The soil and climate of Vietnam is suitable to grow lacquer tree. The best quality lacquer tree, Rhus Succedana, has been growing in Phu Tho, Tuyen Quang province, North of Vietnam.

Today, lacquer production continues to flourish, along with ceramics and other handcrafts, brings the beauty of art in various aspects to the life.