hidden compartment box

Dazzling on a sleek, dark square, a mosaic diamond reveals an ancient craft technique. Lacquerware was brought to Thailand from China centuries ago; today Thai artisans have developed their own unique styles. Nantana Sompamitre crafts a decorative box of dramatic beauty. She carves the mango wood into the desired shape and coats it with lacquer. Once dried it is polished, and another coat is applied – up to twenty times – before as many six coats of pure lacquer are present. Next, eggshells are cleaned and cracked into small pieces. Sompamitre arranges them in the desired pattern on a fresh coat of lacquer. The lid is lacquered twice more and sanded in water until the eggshells appear.

Hand-carved of crocodile wood to depict a gecko on its surface, this mini jewelry box is designed by Balinese artisan Gung Gus. Painted designs complete the box, which opens with a hinge to a velvet-lined interior.

A monarch butterfly flits amidst luscious flowers on this small decorative box. Artisan Gung Gus of Indonesia meticulously hand-paints the colorful motifs onto the crocodile wood box, lining the interior with black velvet.

Hand-carved of crocodile wood to depict a leaping dolphin on its surface, this mini jewelry box is designed by Balinese artisan Gung Gus. Painted designs complete the box, which opens with a hinge to a velvet-lined interior.

Recreating the unique beauty of Thai sunsets, Nantana Sompamitre crafts this exceptional jewelry box. Golden rays shine unto a burnished land as Sompamitre bathes the mango wood box with Thailand's legendary lacquer work featuring gold leaf accents.

Crafted of Balinese crocodile wood, this exquisite jewelry box is painted by hand. Gusti Ngurah Semarajaya lines the petite jewelry box in luxurious black velvet.