Collecting Vietnamese lacquer ware has become more and more popular in recent years, as more collectors and art lovers discover this unique form of decoration. Today, lacquer ware is available from many Asian countries although pieces from Vietnam are highly sought after both for their beauty and their durability – typically lacquer ware retains its unique appearance for many years if properly cared for.
METHOD OF PRODUCTION
Almost 100% of the whole production process is implemented by hand. Yet, nowadays machinery can be applied for some minor steps of the production process like polishing and the making of base products. However, there must be always people’s hands in all of the steps.
MAJOR STEPS INVOLVED IN PRODUCTION PROCESS
1. The raw/base products are hand-examined. Any cracks, indentations and holes are sealed up with a mixture of natural lacquer resin and sawdust in order to strengthen the products, then dry the products and then sharpen the products surface with sandy paper.
2. The products are covered with fine cotton gauze and one layer of a mixture of natural lacquer resin, sawdust and silty soil in order to prevent the products from being cracked or bent, then dry the products, and then sharpen the product surface with sandy paper.
3. Apply another layer of a mixture of natural lacquer resin, sawdust and silty soil in order to make the product surface smooth, then dry the products, and then sharpen them with sandy paper under water, and then dry the products again.
4. Apply another layer of a mixture of natural lacquer resin or refined cashew nut oil and silty soil onto the product surface, then dry the products, and then sharpen them under water with sandy paper, and then dry them again.
5. Step 4 is repeated.
6. Apply another layer of a mixture of refined cashew nut oil and weakened crude oil onto the product surface, then dry the products and then apply another layer of a mixture of refined cashew nut oil and silty soil onto the product surface, and then dry the products and then sharpen them under water by sandy paper, and dry them up again.
7. Apply another layer of refined cashew nut oil onto the product surface then dry the products and then sharpen them under water by sandy paper and then dry them up again.
8. Seal up all holes on the product surface with a mixture of cashew nut oil and silty soil then dry the products and then sharpen them under water by sandy paper and then dry them up.
9. Step 7 is repeated.
10. Step 7 is repeated.
11. Hand-colour the products, Paint them to required colours and drawings. + Colour the products in plain/solid colour: Hand-colour the products to required colours then dry them and then sharpen them under water by sandy paper and then dry them up. + Paint drawings on products: Hand-draw to require drawings then colour products to required colours and then dry them and then sharpen them under water by sandy paper and then dry them up. + Apply silver onto products: Apply a thin layer of cashew nut oil then apply a layer of white silver leaves onto the product surface and then dry them up and then colour the products to required colours (if required) and then dry them, sharpen them under water by sandy paper and then dry them up.
12. Apply onto the products with a layer of special Japanese lacquer paint then dry them and then sharpen them under water by sandy paper and then dry them up.
13. Step 12 is repeated.
14. Step 12 is repeated.
15. The products are polished by machine and bare hand where applicable with a special local black wax.
16. Apply a layer of wax called Cana onto the product surface then clean the products with cotton gauze in order to make the products shiny and clean.
17. Hinges and hooks are fitted (if required).
18. Company logo is silk screened onto the products where applicable (if required).
19. Wrapping and packing the products for delivery. Steps 1 to 5 are sanded by rough sandy paper, steps 6-10 are sanded by more fine sandy paper and steps 11-14 are sanded by fine sandy paper. Steps 1-14, each step takes one day to get dry up and another one day to be completed.
LACQUER CARE
By following a few simple precautions, you can enjoy the beauty of your lacquer wares for many years. Here are a few general instructions to assist you in maintaining the beauty and quality of lacquer products.
1. Keep out of direct sunlight and away from extreme heat. Ultraviolet light and extreme heat will fade the surface of the lacquer ware and allow fine cracks to form. Once light or heat damage has occurred, other kinds of deterioration can happen as well, and the beauty and life-span of your products will be reduced.
2. Do not stack on top of other lacquer products.
3. Do not soak, use hot water to clean your products or place your lacquer products in wet places for a long time. Otherwise, they may get swollen.
4. Do not use any chemicals to clean your lacquer ware products. Instead, use a dry or damp & soft cloth to gently wipe it down. This should be done routinely as dirt or moisture may build up if your products are used often. When using your lacquer ware with food, you can clean with mild soap and warm water, then rinse and dry them immediately after cleaning.
5. Do not insert into dish washers or microwave ovens.
6. Your Lacquer products are susceptible to damages from very dry conditions or fluctuating humidity. A balanced climate that is between 60% and 70% humidity is recommended to store your lacquer products in order to ensure long life.
METHOD OF PRODUCTION
Almost 100% of the whole production process is implemented by hand. Yet, nowadays machinery can be applied for some minor steps of the production process like polishing and the making of base products. However, there must be always people’s hands in all of the steps.
MAJOR STEPS INVOLVED IN PRODUCTION PROCESS
1. The raw/base products are hand-examined. Any cracks, indentations and holes are sealed up with a mixture of natural lacquer resin and sawdust in order to strengthen the products, then dry the products and then sharpen the products surface with sandy paper.
2. The products are covered with fine cotton gauze and one layer of a mixture of natural lacquer resin, sawdust and silty soil in order to prevent the products from being cracked or bent, then dry the products, and then sharpen the product surface with sandy paper.
3. Apply another layer of a mixture of natural lacquer resin, sawdust and silty soil in order to make the product surface smooth, then dry the products, and then sharpen them with sandy paper under water, and then dry the products again.
4. Apply another layer of a mixture of natural lacquer resin or refined cashew nut oil and silty soil onto the product surface, then dry the products, and then sharpen them under water with sandy paper, and then dry them again.
5. Step 4 is repeated.
6. Apply another layer of a mixture of refined cashew nut oil and weakened crude oil onto the product surface, then dry the products and then apply another layer of a mixture of refined cashew nut oil and silty soil onto the product surface, and then dry the products and then sharpen them under water by sandy paper, and dry them up again.
7. Apply another layer of refined cashew nut oil onto the product surface then dry the products and then sharpen them under water by sandy paper and then dry them up again.
8. Seal up all holes on the product surface with a mixture of cashew nut oil and silty soil then dry the products and then sharpen them under water by sandy paper and then dry them up.
9. Step 7 is repeated.
10. Step 7 is repeated.
11. Hand-colour the products, Paint them to required colours and drawings. + Colour the products in plain/solid colour: Hand-colour the products to required colours then dry them and then sharpen them under water by sandy paper and then dry them up. + Paint drawings on products: Hand-draw to require drawings then colour products to required colours and then dry them and then sharpen them under water by sandy paper and then dry them up. + Apply silver onto products: Apply a thin layer of cashew nut oil then apply a layer of white silver leaves onto the product surface and then dry them up and then colour the products to required colours (if required) and then dry them, sharpen them under water by sandy paper and then dry them up.
12. Apply onto the products with a layer of special Japanese lacquer paint then dry them and then sharpen them under water by sandy paper and then dry them up.
13. Step 12 is repeated.
14. Step 12 is repeated.
15. The products are polished by machine and bare hand where applicable with a special local black wax.
16. Apply a layer of wax called Cana onto the product surface then clean the products with cotton gauze in order to make the products shiny and clean.
17. Hinges and hooks are fitted (if required).
18. Company logo is silk screened onto the products where applicable (if required).
19. Wrapping and packing the products for delivery. Steps 1 to 5 are sanded by rough sandy paper, steps 6-10 are sanded by more fine sandy paper and steps 11-14 are sanded by fine sandy paper. Steps 1-14, each step takes one day to get dry up and another one day to be completed.
LACQUER CARE
By following a few simple precautions, you can enjoy the beauty of your lacquer wares for many years. Here are a few general instructions to assist you in maintaining the beauty and quality of lacquer products.
1. Keep out of direct sunlight and away from extreme heat. Ultraviolet light and extreme heat will fade the surface of the lacquer ware and allow fine cracks to form. Once light or heat damage has occurred, other kinds of deterioration can happen as well, and the beauty and life-span of your products will be reduced.
2. Do not stack on top of other lacquer products.
3. Do not soak, use hot water to clean your products or place your lacquer products in wet places for a long time. Otherwise, they may get swollen.
4. Do not use any chemicals to clean your lacquer ware products. Instead, use a dry or damp & soft cloth to gently wipe it down. This should be done routinely as dirt or moisture may build up if your products are used often. When using your lacquer ware with food, you can clean with mild soap and warm water, then rinse and dry them immediately after cleaning.
5. Do not insert into dish washers or microwave ovens.
6. Your Lacquer products are susceptible to damages from very dry conditions or fluctuating humidity. A balanced climate that is between 60% and 70% humidity is recommended to store your lacquer products in order to ensure long life.
