work coat

The magic of Pisac and Peru's sacred Urubamba valley inspire Rolando and Luis with ancient art and icons. They work in ceramic to create this handsome vase, painting the geometric motifs freehand on the surface. It reveals an aged, antique finish.

Sinuous stripes evoke the coat of the harimau, or Indonesian tiger. Contrasting natural textures with burnished surfaces, this beautiful decorative vase is crafted by hand. Women potters from the Lombok Pottery Center work in terracotta to create their design.

Short and sleek, a soft green globe rises toward a narrow neck. Duangkamol works in celadon ceramic to craft a classic bud vase. The surface reveals the crackled appearance of true celadon.

Fernando and Magali Pedro in Mexico work in the Oaxacan art form known as barro negro or "black clay" to craft this unique decorative ceramic vase. The distinctive black color and slightly metallic sheen are created by polishing the clay's surface with a quartz stone before the piece is fired in the kiln.

Like an ancient vessel found on temple altars, this handcrafted vase preserves an aura of rustic elegance. Presented by Nantana Sompamitre, the mango wood vase features a carefully affixed eggshell mosaic - evidencing Thailand's sumptuous lacquer ware legacy. Not watertight.

To craft a piece such as this one, mango wood is carefully hand-shaped upon a lathe and then a mixture of lacquer - obtained from trees and ashes of burnt rice paddy husks - is applied. Upon exposure to air the mixture dries to form a watertight seal which 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 and several coats of pure lacquer are painted on the object, with drying periods in between each coat.

Next, chicken or duck eggshells are thoroughly cleaned and finely cracked to be patiently arranged in a mosaic pattern upon a fresh coat of lacquer. The work again lacquered twice, and when dry it is sanded in water until the eggshells slowly appear. The piece is finally rinsed with water and polished with powdered fired clay, resulting in an alluring distinctive gleam.

Care Instructions: Lacquerware is not dishwasher safe. When cleaning is needed, simply clean with a damp cloth and never use any type of abrasive cleaner.