elegant vases

Three inhabitants of the Peruvian Andes, their charming braids, hats and ponchos elegantly showcased, create a captivating focal point in this ceramic decorative vase of breathtaking beauty. Masterfully handcrafted and hand-painted by Francisco Guerreros, this exquisite accessory boasts a palette of brown, blue, orange, black, red and yellow, bringing an enchanting visual harmony. The final touch is a lustrous coat of lacquer that adds to the vase’s uniqueness.

Like an ancient vessel found on temple altars, this handcrafted vase preserves an aura of rustic elegance. Presented by Nantana Sompamitre, the mango wood vase features a carefully affixed eggshell mosaic - evidencing Thailand's sumptuous lacquer ware legacy. Not watertight.

To craft a piece such as this one, mango wood is carefully hand-shaped upon a lathe and then a mixture of lacquer - obtained from trees and ashes of burnt rice paddy husks - is applied. Upon exposure to air the mixture dries to form a watertight seal which is polished before another coat is applied. This process is repeated until a rigid base is formed, and a final polishing is executed with sandpaper and several coats of pure lacquer are painted on the object, with drying periods in between each coat.

Next, chicken or duck eggshells are thoroughly cleaned and finely cracked to be patiently arranged in a mosaic pattern upon a fresh coat of lacquer. The work again lacquered twice, and when dry it is sanded in water until the eggshells slowly appear. The piece is finally rinsed with water and polished with powdered fired clay, resulting in an alluring distinctive gleam.

Care Instructions: Lacquerware is not dishwasher safe. When cleaning is needed, simply clean with a damp cloth and never use any type of abrasive cleaner.

A work of hypnotic beauty, this handcrafted pot adorns with rustic elegance. Daeng Thanunchai confides that to create this piece, he based his design on the idea of setting one's mind free - as if flying through the skies. The pot's neutral color is adorned by centrifugal flashes, resulting in a most versatile decorative item. Not intended to hold water.

To complete this piece, coiled bamboo basketry is firstly carved on a lathe into the desired shape. A mixture of lacquer - obtained from the Gluta usitata tree - and ashes of burnt rice paddy husks is then applied to the object. Upon exposure to air the mixture dries to form a watertight seal that is polished before another coat is applied. This process is repeated until a rigid base is formed, and a final polishing is executed with sandpaper. Then several coats of pure lacquer are painted on the object, with drying periods in between each coat.

The work is partially polished with sandpaper according to a predetermined pattern - generally concentric - and a few coats of different lacquer colors are applied to the surface and the object is left to dry for a few days. The process remains identical for each ensuing color, alternating lacquering and polishing sessions until the design is achieved. The final coat is washed with water and polished with powdered fired clay, offering an irresistible sheen.

A modern and elegant jar finely lacquered by Daeng Thanunchai. The concentric pattern, made of tones contrasting the black background, is an example of the artisan's modernization of lacquer works. A unique storage vessel for the den or office.

To complete this piece, raintree is firstly carved into the desired shape. A mixture of lacquer - obtained from the Gluta usitata tree - and ashes of burnt rice paddy husks is then applied to the object. Upon exposure to air the mixture dries to form a watertight seal that is polished before another coat is applied. This process is repeated up to twenty times, and a final polishing is executed with sandpaper. Then several coats of pure lacquer are painted on the object, with drying periods in between each coat.

The work is partially polished with sandpaper according to a predetermined pattern - generally concentric - and a few coats of different lacquer colors are applied to the surface and the object is left to dry for a few days. The process remains identical for each ensuing color, alternating lacquering and polishing sessions until the design is achieved. The final coat is washed with water and polished with powdered fired clay, offering an irresistible sheen.