Eggshell mosaic centerpiece, "White Charm"

Tradition is transformed into contemporary décor through Nantana Sompamitre's talented artistry. She handcrafts this precious footed bowl centerpiece in the image of Buddhist offering bowls. Sompamitre works with a team of skilled artisans trained by her, and together they seek to preserve Thailand's kruang-kern, or "lacquerware heritage.""This piece is inspired by the people's faith in Buddhism and their ceremonies," explains Sompamitre. "This is the real character of Lanna people, it represents this rich culture of ours."

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.