European and Oriental laquerware
Oriental lacquer constitutes one of the methods of decorating surfaces made of wood, bamboo, ceramics and papier mâché. Obtained from lacquer trees grown in Asia, it is a resin that hardens in contact with the air. Its main component is the compound commonly referred to as urushiol, insoluble in typical solvents. After applying and polishing a number of layers of coloured or colourless resin, the obtained surface is so smooth that it shines...
