Lacquerware

The word lacquer can refer to natural tree-sap lacquer, modern synthetic coatings, or simply a glossy appearance. These are different materials and should not be treated as interchangeable evidence.

Construction begins below the visible colour. The core, ground layers, curing conditions, number of coats and polishing sequence all affect the finished surface and how damage develops at edges or joins.

Useful examination views include worn edges, the underside, joins, inlay boundaries and raking light across the film. A colour name such as “lacquer red” does not identify either the coating or the technique.