Reading a biography on the 1920s lacquer artist, designer and architect Eileen Gray inspired us to look at lacquer in a whole new way — accessories painted with this material are now one of our favorite Gray-inspired ways of adding a high-gloss modern accent to any home — whether it be modern or traditional in nature.
Gray left Paris for London in World War I, where she learned the ancient Japanese and Chinese art of lacquering. As her career progressed, she moved into furniture and architecture design.
True lacquer is done painstakingly, with layers and layers — sometimes twenty or more — of resin-based material applied to wood and pumiced. Gray applied them in different patterned layers, which is what made her pieces particularly artful.
While we certainly covet a licensed Eileen Gray screen, we are also particularly partial to lacquer trays on coffee tables and side tables. They help group disparate objects together and make sophisticated vignettes. Here are some lacquer pieces on our wish list:
• 1 four-piece folding screen by Eileen Gray, at M2L in Georgetown
• 2 black tray with red edge from Pearl River
• 3 turquoise bath box by Jonathan Adler
• 4 candleholders from Crate and Barrel
• 5 Parsons cube side table from West Elm
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
I have a vintage Japanese red lacquered table that actually has mother-of-pearl specks shining through the finish where it's been sanded away. Someone told me years ago that this was called a "rice finish" on lacquer. The table itself is light as a feather and I was told it was made from balsa wood and made probably in the 1930's-40's. I'd love to know more about that type of lacquer if anyone knows (maybe I will submit it to "Good Question" with photo....).
Meanwhile, check out redegg.com for some really unique lacquer colors on Chinese inspired designs. They're making them in America now which is really cool....
Katy
http://fengshuibyfishgirl.com
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Anyone have experience retouching a lacquered table with lacquer-like spraypaint?
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I love lacquerware – it’s such traditional technique, but modern looking at the same time. Real lacquer is very durable and resists damage by water, acid, alkali or abrasion; not bad for something that is completely natural (real lacquer is a type of tree sap). I’ve expanded my love for lacquer and started selling on http://maistyle.asia, all lacquer is handmade in Vietnam.
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