lacquerwork
Glossy decorative finish
Lacquerwork is decorative objects or surfaces coated with lacquer—a hard, glossy finish built up through multiple layers.
The craft originated in East Asia, where artisans developed elaborate techniques for coating wood, metal, and other materials: a cabinet adorned with intricate lacquerwork, Japanese lacquerwork depicting cranes and pine trees.
The term covers both the finished objects and the technique itself.
Decorative black varnish technique
- chinoiserieWestern art imitating Eastern design
- kintsugiMending ceramics with gold
Embedded surface ornamentation
- mother-of-pearlIridescent inner shell coating
- marquetryDecorative veneer patterning
- gildingApplying decorative gold coating
- filigreeDelicate twisted-wire ornamentation
scrollwork · fretwork · gold leaf · abalone · tortoiseshell · eggshell · pewter · foil
Skilled manual tradesperson
- carvingShaping by cutting away
- inlayEmbedded surface ornamentation
- woodworkingCraft of shaping lumber
- cabinetmakingCraft of building furniture
gilding · handcrafted · restoration · polishing · sanding · layering · brushwork · burnishing
Liquid that dries glossy
- sealantGap-blocking substance
- coatingApplied surface covering
- waterproofImpervious to moisture
- durableAble to withstand use
resistant · preservative · barrier · hardcoat · impervious · weatherproof · moisture-resistant · heat-resistant
japanning
Decorative black varnish technique
- chinoiserieWestern art imitating Eastern design
- kintsugiMending ceramics with gold
inlay
Embedded surface ornamentation
- mother-of-pearlIridescent inner shell coating
- marquetryDecorative veneer patterning
- gildingApplying decorative gold coating
filigree · scrollwork · fretwork · gold leaf · abalone · tortoiseshell · eggshell · pewter · foil · carved
artisan
Skilled manual tradesperson
- carvingShaping by cutting away
- inlayEmbedded surface ornamentation
- woodworkingCraft of shaping lumber
cabinetmaking · gilding · handcrafted · restoration · polishing · sanding · layering · brushwork · burnishing · curing
varnish
Liquid that dries glossy
- sealantGap-blocking substance
- coatingApplied surface covering
- waterproofImpervious to moisture
durable · resistant · preservative · barrier · hardcoat · impervious · weatherproof · moisture-resistant · heat-resistant · insulating
sheen
Soft surface luster
shine · gleaming · lustrous · reflective · sleek · smooth · buffed · satin · matte · eggshell
- applied artsapplied arts, decorative arts, industrial design, design, furniture design
- craftssewing, knitting, painting, glue, scissors
- cultural traditionsflamenco, tango, kabuki, hula, capoeira
- woodworkingwoodworking, wood, saw, hammer, drill
- ancient craftspottery, mosaics, weaving, carpentry, blacksmithing
- decorative craftswreath, garland, lace, tapestry, embroidery
lacquerworkraw wood
Timber without finish
rough-hewn · unvarnished · untreated wood · natural wood · matte finish
work, worker, lacquer, workmanship, shellac, lacquered, lacquering