Vase - Wood/Varnish Work - Vietnam

Beautiful authentic Sông Bé lacquered vase with mother-of-pearl inlay (Sông Bé Son Mài). Vietnam, first half of the 20th century.

Magnificent vintage Vietnamese lacquer vase (Sơn Mài) executed in deep black lacquer and finely refined with mother-of-pearl inlay. The vase is elaborately decorated with a classic Eastern motif of two birds on a blooming branch with bamboo/orchid elements. The mother-of-pearl details have a gorgeous iridescent luster that changes with the light.

The vase is in good vintage condition. (small chip in the lacquer layer cf detail photo, but easily touched up)

On the underside the vase is originally marked with: SÔNG BÉ / HTX SƠN MÀI / 19-5 T.

The production process and materials of this type of Vietnamese vase work as follows:

• The core (Base): The form is traditionally turned from wood or built up with layers of woven bamboo/fabric to keep the vase light and dimensionally stable.

• The lacquer layer (Sơn Mài): The vase is coated with dozens of thin layers of resin derived from the Vietnamese lac tree (Rhus succedanea). This provides the deep black, smooth and protective glossy surface.

• The inlay (Decoration): The birds and flowers are made from mother-of-pearl (sourced from the inner side of shells such as pearl oysters or cowries), carefully cut to fit and inlaid into the lacquer.

A atmospheric eye-catcher for an Asian, vintage or modern interior!

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