Golden bamboo stalks flourish in a sleek black garden. Perpetuating Thailand's ancient lacquerware tradition, Subin Tositarat presents this beautiful decorative vase, crafted and painted by hand. Originating in China, the art of lacquer ware has blossomed over the centuries in Chiang Mai.
Made in Thailand
Lacquer on mango wood
Not watertight
For decorative use only
Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
"I teach people interested in lacquer work and patiently train them, withholding nothing about my technique."
"I was born August 21, 1950 in northern Thailand, where I grew up with five brothers and sisters. I graduated from high... school and then studied electricity at a technology institute. But I did not graduate, for I got seriously bored, and I also could not picture myself as an electrician. It did not fit with what I really liked. As a matter of fact, I already showed enthusiasm for arts and handicrafts but still do not know why I didn't choose to study these fields… Anyway, I went to Bangkok and studied commerce.
"Much later, I was employed by an insurance company where I worked to the best of my abilities, even though I did not especially like that job. Because in my opinion, you should do your duties the best you can. You have to be responsible as much as you can, live for today and not ask for tomorrow, because you cannot foresee the future. Well, I also secretly cherished the dream to go back to northern Thailand and work with my cousin in his wood carving workshop. This dream came true ten years later.
"I took my time to look around and I found out that lacquer work was what really fascinated me. So I asked my cousin if I could set up a lacquer workshop on his wood workshop premises, and he accepted. I immediately enrolled, with a few workers, in a government-training course where we learned traditional and modern lacquer techniques. Upon completion, I bettered my techniques and knowledge with local artisans for about two years. At that time it was said that I was one of the most knowledgeable lacquer ware artisans in town. I gradually gained more practical experience, refining my techniques, learning more and more. I was thirsting for knowledge and skills.
"I received a gold medal from the Industrial Support Center and regularly display my products in exhibitions. I teach people interested in lacquer work and patiently train them, hiding nothing and not holding my science. Competitors and lacquer specialists employing people coming from my workshop say that my workers are the most skilled. That is my greatest pride.
"Do you know that a small piece of lacquerware needs about three months to be completed? In my workshop, we begin our crafting process during the winter season, carefully choosing the best bamboo and wood. Then we collect all the materials needed to make the finest lacquer, prepare the lacquer and all the necessary utensils. In summer we coil and lathe the bamboo, cut and carve the wood and wait for the rainy season to pass. You see, our basic materials have to prove themselves against the test of humidity. Moreover lacquer drying during a humid season is bound to melt once a drier one comes. That is why it takes such a long time to handcraft lacquer wares. All this time, this patience, these skills, this knowledge and this passion are the ingredients of top quality and success. And you are the best way to provide this top quality lacquer work to the world."
To complete a piece, mango wood or bamboo is carved into the desired shape. A coating mixture of lacquer, obtained from the Gluta usitata tree and ashes of cow bones, burnt rice-paddy husks or ground clay, is 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 up to twenty times, building up a rigid base, and a final polishing is given with a sandpaper-like leaf. Then up to six coats of pure lacquer are painted on the object with drying periods between each coat. The final layer is washed with water and polished with powdered fired clay, giving it a gleaming shine.
Next a gilding technique called lai rot nam, which means "watered pattern," may be applied. The decoration is first engraved free-hand with a sharp tool, and the piece is dusted with a wooden powder. Next the black background is covered with a yellow gummy paint – a substance that comes from a tree resin that has been placed in water for one day. The piece is then dusted again with the wooden powder. After that a thin coat of lacquer is applied to the entire surface and, before it dries, gold leaves are placed over it. The papers backing the gold leaves are removed and the gold strongly pressed into place with a cotton swab dampened with oil. Any gold that does not adhere is caught up in the oily cotton. The piece is then left to dry for approximately 20 hours. Finally the whole lacquer ware is thoroughly washed with water and the gold leaves that are unattached to the engraved surfaces fall off, leaving the shimmering gold engraved designs to contrast brilliantly atop the high-gloss black background.
Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
In the unlikely even that we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will contact you and provide an updated delivery window.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
BUST
35 - 36
37 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
WAIST
27 - 28
29 - 30
31 - 33
34 - 36
38 - 40
HIPS
37 - 38
39 - 40
42 - 43
45 - 46
49 - 50
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
CHEST
36 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
50 - 52
WAIST
30 - 32
32 - 34
35 - 37
38 - 41
43 - 45
NECK
14 - 14.5
15 - 15.5
16 - 16.5
17 - 17.5
18 - 18.5
SLEEVE
32.5
33.5
34.5
35.5
36.5
FINDING YOUR SIZE
Take your measurements with the tape measure over your under garments. If your measurements fall between sizes you may prefer the next larger size. Inseam, skirt and dress lengths vary by style and will be listed in the item description. Our sweaters are knit in standard American sizes, however actual measurements vary by style.
BUST / CHEST
Measure around the fullest part of chest under the arms and over the shoulder blades keeping the tape measure level.
WAIST
Measure around the smallest part of the waist keeping the tape measure comfortably loose. Most garments use the low waist measurement noted below.
LOW WAIST
Measure around the body approximately 1.5" below the natural waist (above). This is the area where most pants and skirts actually fit.
HIPS
Standing with your heels together, measure around the fullest part of the body approx 7"-8" below the waist.
NECK
Measure around the base of the neck keeping the tape measure comfortably loose.
SLEEVE
Bend elbow slightly and starting at the center back of the neck, measure across the shoulder, to the elbow and down to the wrist.
INSEAM
Our standard inseam length for women is 32" and 34" for men; however inseam measurements will vary slightly by style.
Belts with buckles are measured in inches that correspond to a waist size however, most people do not wear belts on the waist, they wear them closer to the hips. A buckle belt measurement is take from the end of the "pin" of the buckle to the middle hole on the belt. Generally there are 5 holes for size adjustment, with a 1" space between each, so the middle hole will the be average size of the belt.
For at tie belt (no buckle) measure the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This again is the medium size of the belt.
For a soft fabric tie belt it can be called "1 size fits most" and the entire length of the belt should be measured and listed.
See buckle/tie belt size standards below.
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
inches
26 - 30
28 - 32
31 - 35
34 - 38
38 - 42
cm
76 - 86
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
inches
30 - 34
32 - 36
35 - 39
39 - 43
43 - 47
cm
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
109 - 119
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
Sash tie length
Lay sash/tie out flat away from the garment and measure from end to end.
Belt with buckle
Measure from the end of the pin of the buckle (where it touches the buckle) to the middle hole.
Belt without buckle
Measure from the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This is will give you the medium size of the belt.
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
Turn your gift-giving into an art form with our new premium gift wrapping service!
Delivering a beautiful handmade treasure, wrapped by hand in exquisite packaging will make your gifts truly unforgettable.
Above all, it's EASY! Just select the premium gift wrapping option during checkout and we do the rest. No more last minute worries about presentation - your gifts will be the best dressed every time!
Most premium gift wrap is only $3.95 - $5.95 per item.
UNICEF Market offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. UNICEF USA partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from UNICEF Market to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from UNICEF Market will benefit UNICEF's programs that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about UNICEF's work, on About UNICEF.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
UNICEF Market artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. UNICEF Market offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.
