Burmese lacquerware

Lacquer has been a major craft industry in Burma for roughly two or three centuries. Foreign visitors of earlier times praised its quality, and few Burmese homes or monasteries lacked a handful of treasured lacquer pieces. Although the technique probably arrived from China and Thailand, Burmese artists transformed it into something distinctive. Their incised polychrome pieces are striking for their bold, lively patterns, while gilt moulded lacquer inlaid with glass mosaic offers a lavish richness that rivals European ormolu. Burmese gold-leaf decoration matches the work of Thailand, the region's foremost practitioner, and painted pieces reflect a sturdy folk tradition.

The craft has adapted repeatedly to colonial rule and to the years after independence. Artisans introduced new colours, shapes and experimental methods to serve a broader range of buyers, yet they still draw on the past, especially the designs and scenes found in ancient temple murals.

This book examines the techniques lacquer workers use and the many forms and everyday purposes of their wares. It profiles prominent craftspeople from different regions of Burma and surveys notable lacquer collections both inside the country and overseas.