Black and Brown Thai Lacquered Decorative Bowl, "Classic Siam"

By Nantana Sompamitre, this beautiful decorative bowl exemplifies one of Thailand's oldest art forms. It is lacquered inside and out, and adorned with bands of brown. She lathes the mango wood into the desired shape and coats it with lacquer. When dry, it is polished, and another coat is applied – up to twenty times – before as many six coats of pure lacquer are applied. The final layer is polished with powdered fired clay.