modern

Resembling a miniature bench and drawer combination, this decorative box from Thailand is presented by Arnon Thongkaew. Crafted from teak wood, which displays a beautiful natural grain, this box stands atop four feet. A single drawer opens to reveal space for storing small items.

This lovely jewelry box crafted from papier mache is a pretty haven for your beloved treasures. Drawing inspiration from the celebrated lacquer miniature art of Uzbekistan, Hojiakbar Vohidov crafts the box followed by a meticulous hand-painting technique that merges acrylics, watercolors and tempera paints. Adorned with contemporary geometric patterns in lively hues.

A glossy bowl of mango wood showcases Nantana Sompamitre's art. This exquisite bowl is lacquered inside and out, the outer surface is richly adorned in gold. She lathes the mango wood into the desired shape and coats it with lacquer. When dry, it is polished, and another coat is applied – up to twenty times – before as many six coats of pure lacquer are applied. The final layer is polished with powdered fired clay. The piece is gilded with a technique called lai rot nam, and it is dusted with a wooden powder. Then the background is covered with a gummy paint, and dusted again. A thin coat of lacquer is applied to the entire surface and, before it dries, gold leaves are placed over it and firmly pressed into place.

Like a scene of nature's chemistry, soothing green tones ascend this unusual vase in an evolution of expressive rings. Presented by Daeng Thanunchai, the piece revels in the glassy surface of lacquered design. A modern and original Thai accent for the home. Not intended for use with water.

To complete this piece, coiled bamboo basketry is carved into the desired shape on a lathe. A mixture of lacquer - obtained from the Gluta usitata tree - and ashes of burnt rice paddy husks is then applied to the object. Upon exposure to air the mixture dries to form a watertight seal that is polished before another coat is applied. This process is repeated until a rigid base is formed, and a final polishing is executed with sandpaper. Then several coats of pure lacquer are painted on the object, with drying periods in between each coat.

The work is partially polished with sandpaper according to a predetermined pattern - generally concentric - and a few coats of different lacquer colors are applied to the surface, then the object is left to dry for a few days. The process remains identical for each ensuing color, alternating lacquering and polishing sessions until the design is achieved. The final coat is washed with water and polished with powdered fired clay, offering an irresistible sheen.