Lotus Motif Lacquer Pendant on Silk Cord
Pendant: Hand-engraved black lacquer disk 3cm
Cord: 35 cm black silk cord with sterling silver caps and S-clasp

Lotus motif inspired by the temples of Bagan on a black lacquer disk. In Burmese culture, the lotus symbolises purity, spiritual awakening, and the ability to rise above adversity, reflecting the soul’s journey toward enlightenment.  Lacquer is part of the artistic, cultural, and socio-economic fabric of Myanmar. Within Burmese families, skills have been passed down from generation to generation, and today's masters are still producing pieces using traditional production techniques.

As lacquer art spread from China to the surrounding countries, the practice changed, as each region relied on a different species of tree for the sap, or thitsi, which is used to create lacquerware. In Myanmar, this is the Melanorrhoea usitatatree. Myanmar lacquerware, therefore, has a distinctive black colour, setting it visually and technically apart from the lacquerware produced in China and Japan.

The final – decorative – stage is called Yun and requires great attention to detail. Artisans engrave intricate patterns into the black lacquer base and then rub these with pigments such as cinnabar and orpiment, layer after layer, to achieve a rich depth of colour.

35 cm silk cord with sterling silver caps and S-clasp.