Dazzling on a sleek, dark cylinder, a mosaic diamond reveals an ancient craft technique. Lacquerware was brought to Thailand from China centuries ago; today Thai artisans have developed their own unique styles. Nantana Sompamitre crafts a decorative box of dramatic beauty. Once the mango wood is carved into the desired shape it is coated 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. Next, eggshells are cleaned and cracked into small pieces. Sompamitre arranges them in the desired pattern on a fresh coat of lacquer. The lid is lacquered twice more and sanded in water until the eggshells appear.
