Large Octagonal Tray

30" W x 20" D x 1½" H

James Lowther bought his first piece of lacquer, an antique betel box, while traveling through Burma in 1999. He went on to work in interiors in London and New York, began importing lacquer from Saigon on the side, and was soon making custom pieces for designers like Rita Konig. The Lacquer Company followed in 2008.

Every piece is made in Saigon in Son Mai lacquer, a Vietnamese craft practiced for centuries. The wood is sealed with sinh, larger pieces are wrapped in cotton gauze, and the surface is built up in layers of natural lacquer mixed with ground mountain rock, alluvial soil and cashew nut shell oil. Each coat dries slowly and is wet-sanded by hand before the next, with color and decoration painted on at the end, in finishes from ultra matte to high gloss. The line runs from trays, bins and tissue boxes to drinks tables and consoles, with designs drawn alongside Rita Konig, Miles Redd and Veere Grenney.