Tuong Binh Hiep Lacquerware – The Art of Natural Resin and Masterful Craftsmanship
The Tuong Binh Hiep lacquer village in Binh Duong has existed for more than 200 years, renowned for its sophisticated craftsmanship rooted in traditional natural resin. Unlike many other materials, natural lacquer demands meticulous care and lengthy processes, as every stage requires patience and the masterful hands of artisans.
The craftsman begins with the base layer: applying multiple coats of lacquer onto a wooden or fabric surface, letting it dry, then sanding it smooth. Next comes the stages of painting, gilding with gold or silver, inlaying mother-of-pearl, or egg shell to create vivid motifs. After each layer of color, another protective lacquer coat is applied and polished, allowing the hues to sink into multiple layers, producing the unique, mystical depth that no other art form can achieve.
The uniqueness of Tuong Binh Hiep lacquerware lies in its delicate harmony of technique and aesthetics. The deep black of lacquer, the radiant glow of gold, the shimmering silver, and the fragile fragments of mother of pearl or eggshell are seamlessly blended, creating a dazzling effect reminiscent of moonlight reflecting on water.
A finished lacquer painting may take months, even years, to complete. Yet it is this painstaking process that has transformed Tuong Binh Hiep lacquerware into a distinctive artistic heritage one that bears the profound imprint of tradition while possessing the strength to reach the world as a symbol of Vietnamese fine arts.
