Lacquered wood box, 'Candy'

NOVICA, in association with National Geographic, searches the world to work directly with the finest artisan designers. Subin Tositarat presents this delightful rounded box. The removable lid and the body are decorated with engravings and paintings depicting a floral pattern. After the piece is carved, it is receives a gilded lacquer coating, in itself a long, laborious process. Then, in an engraving technique called lai kad, (dug-out pattern), the decorative motifs are etched freehand with a sharp tool. A combination of lacquer, peanut oil, coloring agent, and water is rubbed onto the surface. It is left to dry and polished with rice husks, the color remaining only in the engravings. The process is identical for each different color.

Subin Tositarat says,
"I teach people interested in lacquer work and patiently train them, withholding nothing about my technique."