Geometric Motif Lacquer Pendant

Geometric Motif Lacquer Pendant on Silk Cord
Pendant: Hand-engraved black lacquer disk 3cm
Cord: 35 cm black silk cord with sterling silver caps and S-clasp 

Geometirc motif inspired by the temples of Bagan on a beige lacquer disk. Lacquer is part of the artistic, cultural and socio-economic fabric of Myanmar. Within Burmese families, skills have been passed down from generation to generation, and today's masters are still producing pieces using traditional production techniques. As lacquer art spread from China to the surrounding countries the practice changed, as each region relied on a different species of tree for the sap, or thitsi, which is used to create lacquerware. 

In Myanmar, this is the Melanhorrea Usitata tree. Myanmar lacquerware, therefore, has a distinctive black colour, setting it visually and technically apart from the lacquerware produced in China and Japan. The final – decorative – stage is called Yun and requires great attention to detail. Artisans engrave intricate patterns into the black lacquer base and then rub these with pigments such as cinnabar and orpiment, layer after layer, to achieve a rich depth of colour.35cm Silk cord with sterling silver caps and S clasp