PLATE II.
The possession of the substance known in commerce as “ lac,” and of vegetable oils, which, with scarcelyany preparation form natural varnishes, has given rise, in Japan, China, and many districts of India , to thatbranch of manufacture generally known as “ lacquer-work.” The term, however, is a very vague one, sinceunder it are usually comprehended not only objects in the production of which many various processes ofthe application of “lac” are involved, but many other articles, into the formation and decoration of whichit is not likely that any particle of that material really enters. The substance “lac” is an exudation fromvarious trees, mostly of the fig species. A peculiar insect, the coccus ficus, perforates the tender bark of thesmaller branches and shoots, for the purpose of depositing its eggs. About the perforations thus made amilky liquid coagulates, which, solidifying on exposure to the air, forms a resinous covering entirely surroundingthe bough, and embalming the insects, as flies are embalmed in amber. The thin coating when separatedfrom the twigs becomes “ stick-lac.” When boiled in water and broken up, it becomes “ seed-lac; and
when melted and reduced to thin sheets, it constitutes what is known as “ shell-lac.”
“ Lac ” possesses two distinct properties of great commercial value, since, while as a resin it is of unequalledpurity, it derives from the insects embedded in it colouring matter, which is of the greatest value in theproduction of a red dye. The colouring matter is obtained from “ stick-lac,” probably by a dissolutionin some alkali and the admixture of alum, causing a precipitate, which, when formed into small squarecakes and dried, constitutes “ lac-dye,” a substance which has been very largely imported into this countryfor many years.
“ Shell-lac ” enters into the composition of the best sealing-wax, possessing the property of melting withoutcharring on the application of heat.
In one variety of Indian and Chinese “lacquer-work,” a kind of sealing-wax is spread to a considerablethickness on wooden boxes or cabinets, and is then worked over with patterns indented, with slightly heated
stamps, into the external coating, and then finished with cutting tools.
In another variety, that generally known in this country as old japan-work, the lac, dissolved in spirit oressential oil, forms a varnish, which being applied to wood or papier-mache in successive coats produces atlast a beautiful smooth surface. Upon this surface, when dry, any amount of ornament may be painted withvarnish, over which gold or bronze dust being powdered, adhesion to the wet varnish only takes place wherethe pattern has been traced; and thus were produced the cabinets and boxes which formed the favouritedecorations of saloons in the days of Hogarth and the “ Spectator,” exciting the liveliest competition among
the fair frequenters of the celebrated old china auctions.
The gilding of those cabinets was sometimes executed partly in leaf-gold, and partly by the above processof Powdering. The contrast of the two textures, heightened by partial burnishing, and occasionally lowered
ts which might be successfully imitated m the presentby tinted varnishes, was productive of very teppy^ ^ were made t0 adhere to the surface by the emp oy-
day. Frequently thin veneers of mother-of-pearl . Upot effects were produced.
ment of the “lac” as a cement, and by such additions _ trat p )ns s q owll Plate No. II. have been taken,
In the decoration of the elegant boxes from w ic n the patterns have been execute
little, if any, lac has been used. The wood foirmn t ^ of egg or size, similar m composition to
has been covered over with a ground probab y o p a