Product Information
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Lacquerware
The technique of lacquering was first discovered in China in the early-4th century BC, and is now considered as a traditional Asian art. Although it can be found in certain parts of China (Fujian, for one) the finest lacquerware is now produced in Vietnam and Japan. With proper care, lacquerware can be extremely durable.What is lacquer?
Lacquer is a natural resin which can be found in cashew trees, indigenous to the Northern Vietnamese wetlands. It has been used for several thousand years, especially in China-where this handicraft is still found in regions such as the Fujian Province.
What is the production process?
The process of lacquering can sometimes involve over 25 layers of lacquer- which makes the one month process a very tedious one. Good Laque products are all hand-made with traditional Vietnamese methods.
The typical process includes:
-application of cotton gauze with resin, to prevent cracking
-3 layers of a mixture of resin and wood powder
-3 layers or resin with clay and chalk powder
-2 layers of resin with stone powder
-3 layers of resin with stone powder
-3 layers of pure resin
-application of silver leaves
-final layer of (non toxic) coloring
Care instructions
Lacquerware is fragile, and therefore should not be exposed to excessive heat, cold, or sunlight. Although some pieces are designed for eating or drinking, they can only be hand washed with warm water – abrasive chemicals should be avoided. If these guidelines are followed, the product can be preserved forever.
Stoneware
The stone products available at Good Laque are all handmade in Vietnam – an Asian country with an extremely rich artistic heritage.What is it made of?
Our products are all carved in marble, which has a different tint depending of the region in which it has been procured. Artists thus have the possibility of utilizing the discrepancies in colors, consistency and patterns to their full potential, while creating a unique piece of art.Production process
The process sounds simple since it is simply the carving of a stone. However, each artist has his own technique, and set of tools so it is difficult to describe the exact process each stone undergoes to become a masterpiece. Traditionally, the first stage is the less delicate; the artist knocks off large chunks of stone in order to obtain the desired general shape. The main tool used for this step is the chisel, combined with a lump hammer in order to generate enough force.Once the general shape of the item is obtained, the sculptor adds texture to the piece by carving out small lines which he traces with the help of chalk. At this stage, a wooden mallet is used since it is less strong, and more merciful to mistakes.
The final stage is polishing. Sandpaper is used which gives a more delicate feel to the piece, while bringing out the natural colors of the stone.
As for the timeline, it varies from one extreme to another according to the sculptor, and the size/detail of a piece.
Care instructions
Marble statues do not require much care, overdoing it can damage it, simply because of the material. It has a hard exterior, which protects a fragile core prone to erosion. Therefore if a part is damaged, it should be immediately patched.As for the occasional care, the use of a brush is recommended. Lightly spray the surface with water while brushing gently and the piece should be as good as new.
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Buffalo Horn
In Asia, the buffalo is frequently used as livestock, hence the large quantities of buffalo horn available to Vietnamese artists, who often embed buffalo horn in their fine art. Please not that buffaloes are not an endangered species and the use of their horns for arts and crafts is indisputably legal.What is it made of?
The main component of these buffalo horn items is obviously the horn itself. The difference between horn and antlers, is the fact that horns are formed by modified skin tissue and can therefore be broken down into very thin sheets.Production process
The first step regardless of the artist, is the boiling of the horn. This enables the sanitization of the horn while softening it up which is absolutely necessary for buffalo horn carvings.The second step is the smoothening of the surface through sanding. It is a straightforward approach, where the artist uses difference types of sand paper to achieve this goal.
Once the surface is adequate, the sculptor starts the carving with various tools which depend on personal preferences.
This leads to the final polishing of the product through the use of polishing compounds, which give the product a very attractive glow.
Care instructions
Horn carvings have three real enemies:-Damp conditions
-Excessively dry conditions
-Microscopic beetles
For this reason, it is important to display the item in a cool, relatively dry spot.
If the gleam of the item is fading, beeswax cream can be considered, in order to rejuvenate the product.
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Leather Boxes
This handicraft has been recently rejuvenated by Chinese artists who have come up with a vast variety of boxes for every purpose - vanity mirrors with decorative frames, mahjong boxes and many others...
What is it made of?
Initially made with cow hide cut to measure and assembled on a wooden frame, they are now using artificial leather, sometimes "aged" through application of black wax.
Care instructions
Avoid excessive heat or dampness. The gentle use of a wet cloth will keep your leatherbox in perfect condition.
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Silk Items
Silk products at Good Laque are exclusively made in Thailand, simply because of their renowned experience in the field.What is it made of?
Silk is a natural protein fiber, and is obtained from cocoons of silkworms. The shimmering appearance of silk is due to the triangular prism-like structure of the fiber, which reflects light at different angles, thus producing different colors.There are two types of silkworms in Thailand, the Bombycidae and wild Saturniidae.
Production process
The raw silk obtained from the cocoon is irregular and varies greatly in length. In order to facilitate the weaving process, it is boiled at which point threads are easily separated from the caterpillar.Once the desired threads are found, they are combined through a tedious process of hand-reeling. It takes roughly 80 hours to produce a kilogram of Thai silk.
The following step is the soaking in hot water and bleaching, which removes the natural yellow coloring of Thai silk. Dyes are then used to give a colorful appearance to the product.
This leads to the final step of weaving, which is done using a traditional hand operated loom.
Care instructions
Dry cleaning is highly recommended, since it is the less risky alternative. Machine washing is the worse way to clean silk because it will damage the threads.Hide
Mother Of Pearl
In Thai arts and crafts, mother of pearl is often used to ornate decorative goods. This traditional approach has been combined with contemporary items such as picture frames or name card holders – products which are all available at Good Laque.What is it made of?
Mother of pearl is also called nacre, a durable, glittering layer produced by mollusks and serves as an inner shell layer. It is created by mollusks, usually an abalone or a pearl oyster, in order to protect its soft tissues from parasites or foreign debris. It is iridescent, strong, and beautiful and, due to this, the mother of pearl is widely used to adorn furniture, architectural pieces, and jewelries.Production process
The mother of pearl is scooped from the shell with the use of machinery, and is sorted according to size, color and shape.Once sorted and polished, the mother of pearl is cut into chip sizes which are embedded into different items, depending on their size.
Care instructions
The best method recommended by professionals is the use of olive oil, because of the shine it provides.This practice is relatively straightforward: dip a soft cloth into olive oil, rub it onto the mother of pearl item, and polish it using a piece of silk.
It is extremely easy to do, and will ensure the longevity of your product.
Soap and water, along with all chemical agents, are not recommended since it might degrade the mother of pearl, or damage the item itself.
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