Interviews
Van Cleef & Arpels' jewellery designed by Hokose, Japanese master
20 Jan '06
3 min read
The port town of Wajima, in northeastern Japan, is home to the world famous Wajima Nuri style of Japanese lacquer ware, which has earned worldwide recognition as one of Japan's most important cultural assets.
Each piece of art in the Van Cleef & Arpels lacquered butterfly collection is created by hand, and each design is inspired by historical patterns.
This art form originated in China in 100 BC during the Han Dynasty. The first function of lacquer was to protect domestic objects since lacquer is resistant against water and dirt. Later, this discipline was used in a more art-oriented manner. Japanese artists began using it from around the 6th century.
By improving the technique, this craft became identified with Japanese civilization. From simple implements to luxury objects, through architecture and statues, lacquer has a great versatility of use.
Traditional Japanese lacquer is created with the resin extracted from the trunk of the urushi tree or lacquer tree. Its scientific name is rhus vernicifera. The sap of this tree contains a resin-urushiol, which when exposed to moist air, polymerises and becomes a very hard, durable plastic-like substance called lacquer.
Each piece of art in the Van Cleef & Arpels lacquered butterfly collection is created by hand, and each design is inspired by historical patterns.
This art form originated in China in 100 BC during the Han Dynasty. The first function of lacquer was to protect domestic objects since lacquer is resistant against water and dirt. Later, this discipline was used in a more art-oriented manner. Japanese artists began using it from around the 6th century.
By improving the technique, this craft became identified with Japanese civilization. From simple implements to luxury objects, through architecture and statues, lacquer has a great versatility of use.
Traditional Japanese lacquer is created with the resin extracted from the trunk of the urushi tree or lacquer tree. Its scientific name is rhus vernicifera. The sap of this tree contains a resin-urushiol, which when exposed to moist air, polymerises and becomes a very hard, durable plastic-like substance called lacquer.
Van Cleef & Arpels
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