Everything you need to know about the Indian Craft of
Lacquerware.
Lacquer craft bears the smell of India.
The term ‘lacquer’ is taken from the Portuguese word ‘lac’ which implies a kind of resin which radiates from specific creepy crawlies.
Lacquerware are items coated with Lacquer.
These comprise containers, tableware, and different small-sized items that can be carried easily.
However, large items like furniture as well as graves were coated with Lacquer.
Before lacquering, the facade is at times decorated with images, decorated or carved with shells and other objects.
For decoration purposes, gold or silver is sprinkled on the Lacquer.
What is Indian Lacquerware craft?
Lacquerware is a traditional craft of the state of Karnataka in India.
Artists generally practise it in Chennapatna.
The place is situated around 65 kilometres away from Bangalore, which is an Indian state.
The Lacquerware craft includes the use of Lacquer on wood being rotated by hand or electricity run machine.
At the time of the lacquering method, coloured Lac, sticks are smoothed against the formed wooden item to be lacquered.
How did the craft of Indian Lacquerware begin?
Lac or resin is available bounteously in everyday life and known to man from a very ancient time in the use of artworks.
Resin is produced when the discharge of ruby red little creepy crawlies which flourish with specific types of plants and animals.
The relic of resin is ancient.
In the Atharva Veda, there is a little section provided to the elucidation of the ruby red insect, its environment and convenience.
The unpopular Lac castle in the Hindu mythological tale of Mahabharata, established by the Kauravas(the bad guys) to get rid of the Pandavas(the good guys) by burning it down is a notable scene in the tale.
Lacquer craftsmanship is mainstream in numerous India states.
Kalidasa poems during the rule of Vikramaditya depicts the use of Lac based makeup that is used to add colour to womens’ lips and feet.
In wedding functions and numerous custom Indian ladies wear the Lac bangle.
What do we know about Chennapatna?
Chennapatna is the centre point of a complete range of Lacquerware items, some of which include:
- Toys for kids
- Kitchenware
- Tableware
- Bangles and ornaments
- Furniture
- Cradles
Artisans occupied with this conventional art are called Chitragars, and they generally live in a few towns around Chennapatna such as Makkan, Yelekeri, and Diara.
Does it involve wood?
The hale wood is used for lacquering, as it is finely close-grained, tolerably firm, and excellent for turning.
After the wood is cut into the necessary size and shape, it is revolved using a machine to smoothen it.
Lastly, the lacquering of the surface is finished by using Lac sticks that liquefy into the spinning wood and engraving it.
The procedure
Lacquering is practised with the use of a hand or machine.
For manufacturing thin and fragile goods, the hand-machine is used.
Dry Lac is put in use.
The procedure comprises the smoothening of Lac against the formed wooden item.
As the wooden item continues spinning the warmth from the friction relaxes, the Lac empowering the shading to stick.
Patterns are painted using a brush on the features, items and toys.
As these articles are made by using machines, they are classified “Turned Toys”.
Lacquered bottles and containers are too accessible in unique shapes, sizes and shades.
Lately, the craftsmen have developed present-day enhancing things, for example, vases, stools and so on.
Lacquer craft in India is mainstream for its perfection and sparkle; a nice mix of woodcraft and metalwork.
Kerala is prestigious for its Lacquer craft and artisans.
For a very long time, man has used things given by nature, for example, stone, wood and the resin from specific trees for embellishing items and practical worth.
What are the features of Lacquer Art?
In India, Lacquer craft is famous in Ernakulam and Tamil Nadu.
The motifs and patterns range from myths, legends, performing arts and so on.
Themes like butterflies, peacocks, utility products are probably the most widely recognized type of Lacquer craftsmanship in India.
Items embellished with Lac blended in with various appealing shades are famously known as Lacquer craft.
Here, by and large, the Lac dolls produced are termed as ‘Jaukandhei’.
In reality, Lacquer products have other things mixed in it, such as fired clay.
It is related to craft and culture in various sections of Orissa.
Where can the collection of Lacquerware items be seen?
Salarjung museum has a decent collection of Lacquerware items.
Indian Lacquer or lac turnery is an established Indian Craft.
Regarding the Lacquerware, it is 400 years old.
Lac was first written in ‘Aaine Akbari’ by Abul – Fazl in 1590 AD.
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