Bagan

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The art of lacquerware came to Burma via Yunnan in China in the 1st century A.D.  Raw lacquer is tapped from the thitsie trees much the same way as latex is removed from rubber trees. We saw two types being made today.  The first and more expensive option, using a bamboo and horse hair frame, used for items requiring greater flexibility and durability.

The second using a wooden base.  The basic structure is coated with a layer of lacquer and clay, then put in a cool place to dry.

Three or four days later the item is sealed with a  paste of lacquer and ash, the fineness of the ash determining the quality of the finished ware.  

The ash may come from sawdust, paddy husk or even cow dung.  When dry the object is polished

Over time it is given several coats of lacquer and is black in colour.  Cheaper items will then be painted or decorated with gold leaf.  More expensive ones are decorated by means of inlay, engraving, painting and polishing.  Red, yellow, blue, and gold are most frequently used.  

Multi coloured ware takes about six months to complete and involves a dozen or more stages to manufacture.
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