footed bowl

Glossy mango wood hosts a forest of flowers in a work of art by Nantana Sompamitre This exquisite bowl is lacquered inside and out; the red blossoms are etched by hand. 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.

By Nantana Sompamitre, this beautiful decorative bowl exemplifies one of Thailand's oldest art forms. It is lacquered inside and out, and adorned with bands of brown. 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.

Handcrafted of ceramic in the traditional style of barro negro, this decorative bowl is the result of skill and imagination. Crafted by Anakarem, i is elaborated with circle and triangle motifs, meticulously incised into the clay. It stands atop a base.

"This is is one of a kind," the artisan explains. "It is larger than much our work. My father and I crafted it especially for Mexico's prestigious Premio Nacional de la Ceramica, a nationwide competition."

This contest is held annually in artisan town of Tlaquepaque as part of the festivities for its patron saint and Anakarem has won prizes for traditional ceramics. First place winners are exhibited in the National Ceramics Museum Pantaleon Panduro, named for a master artisan (1847-1909) who founded a dynasty of ceramic artists.

Forest green embraces this handcrafted footed bowl, as the subdued radiance of lacquered surfaces complement stately outlines. Elaborated by Daeng Thanunchai, the piece offers the charm of Thai sensibility to any space. For decorative purposes only.

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.

Murky greenish-brown tones evolve upon this sophisticated decorative accent by Daeng Thanunchai. The lacquered surfaces highlight smooth contours, simply rendered in traditional Thai fashion. For decorative purposes only.

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.

Handcrafted from coiled bamboo, this footed bowl centerpiece is similar to those found in Buddhist temples brimming with wondrous flowers. Daeng Thanunchai finishes the gray and black centerpiece with several coatings of lacquer.

Expertly lacquered, this decorative bowl by Daeng Thanunchai features a lustrous combination of red swirls on a dark background. Its conical perfection further enhances the allure.

Swirling clouds lend their dynamic beauty to this bowl by Daeng Thanunchai. The lacquered bamboo surfaces highlight smooth contours, elegantly rendered in traditional Thai fashion.

An offering vessel of exceptional allure, this footed bowl by Daeng Thanunchai is similar to those found in Buddhist temples brimming with wondrous flowers. Thanunchai handcrafts this chalice from coiled bamboo, adding original decorative accents with broken eggshells in the interior. The exterior is radiant in green-tinted lacquer. A captivating adornment for a sophisticated interior.

To complete this piece, coiled bamboo basketry is firstly carved on a lathe into the desired shape. 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 and 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.

The natural grains of dark cedar and light cypress wood present a harmonious contrast in this hand crafted wooden bowl from Guatemala. Hugo Pena uses recycled bits of wood to carefully craft this beautiful serving bowl.

Tradition is transformed into contemporary décor through Nantana Sompamitre's talented artistry. She handcrafts this precious footed bowl centerpiece in the image of Buddhist offering bowls. Sompamitre works with a team of skilled artisans trained by her, and together they seek to preserve Thailand's kruang-kern, or "lacquerware heritage.""This piece is inspired by the people's faith in Buddhism and their ceremonies," explains Sompamitre. "This is the real character of Lanna people, it represents this rich culture of ours."

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.

Handcrafted of coconut shell and cement, this decorative bowl takes the shape of a chalice with spiked patterns. Standing atop three legs, the bowl is painted with a white and beige finish. Thailand's Somyot Sawasdee designs the bowl, working with a passion for ecological preservation.