Emerald Blossoms

Emerald petals form a delicate floral motif, their cool allure illuminating black lacquer. Working with mango wood, Nantana Sompamitre creates a mesmerizing box. She carves 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. The final layer is polished with powdered fired clay. Then the motifs are etched with a technique called lai kad (dug-out pattern) and painted.