Auction Ends: Mar 1, 2010 10:59 PM PST

Art/Photo

Vietnamese Lacquer Art

Item Number: 239

Estimated Value: 300 USD
Opening Bid: 75 USD - Item Has a Reserve

Item Description

Vietnamese Lacquer Art

Four artisan panels of traditional handmade lacquer ware, brought from Vietnam fifteen years ago. Each of three panels expertly depicts through inlay Mother-of-Pearl, one of the venerable "Three Sages" of Asian culture: Prosperity, Happiness and Longevity. The fourth panel displays the calligraphic Chinese characters naming each Sage. The Mother-of-Pearl pieces are expertly carved, inlaid and lacquered onto native hardwood panels in the traditional methods employed in Vietnam for over 1300 years. Each panel measures approximately 31.25"h x 15.5"w. These items have been displayed but are in very good condition.

Lacquer ware products pass 12 to 20 stages of production. The raw wood/bamboo is well checked and treated to prevent all fissures. Then it is covered with cotton gauze fixed with lacquer resin mixed with wood powder. Then 2 special layers of resin are added, made using natural lacquer, saw dusts, loam and crushed stone. The mixture is then applied to the base. Next three layers of resin mixed with clay and powdered wood. Then next three other layers of resin mixed with clay and powdered chalk. Then two layers of resin mixed with stone powder.

The abalone images will be applied after this stage. All added items have been carved and polished to fit the scene that is being created by the artist. Then 2 final layers of natural and transparent resin are applied. So making lacquer ware is really a melody of the products of the earth.

After each application of resin, the product is dried at ambient temperature, sanded and polished before another application. The complete process of making lacquer ware requires at least 2 months. Because of this processing, the lacquer products can resist great changes in climates. Each piece is somehow unique by the total handmade production. These products are covered not only one dozen layers of resin but also of cultural features of an Asian agricultural country. The entire process will take about 100 days to complete.

Item Special Note

If this item does not meet Reserve Price, it may be moved to the silent auction at the Car Tunes Classic live event.

Click here to order Car Tunes Classic Dinner Auction event tickets.

Please note:

This item must be picked up in person from Monte Vista High School (Danville, CA) on Thursday, March 11 between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. or on Friday, March 12 between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. We are sorry but we are unable to ship this item to you.