Scientific investigation of Asian lacquerware

Asian lacquerware, renowned for the durability, lustre and cultural significance of its decorative layers, often needs to be studied in terms of its composition, production techniques and degradation processes. In traditional recipes, lacquer is applied as a coating on the surface of a substrate, and is often mixed with additives such as pigments or overlaid with metal powders and inlays. As a result of this intrinsic complexity, the technical examination and scientific analysis of Asian lacquerware encompasses techniques that target both the organic matrix and the inorganic components. Although the techniques mentioned here can be and are used to analyse organic coatings in general, this Technical Brief focuses on Asian lacquerware due to its particular complexity.