Lanna Lacquerware

The Timeless Art of Lanna Lacquerware. Discover the centuries-old art of Lanna lacquerware from Chiang Mai’s artisan villages — natural lacquer, gold motifs & authentic Northern Thai heritage.

At Lalanna Design, every lacquerware piece we offer is more than a beautiful object — it is a living continuation of Lanna craftsmanship that stretches back more than two centuries. Our collection of decorative boxes, with their deep glossy black surfaces and shimmering gold motifs of Garuda, Naga, elephants, birds and florals, draws directly from this rich tradition.

A Royal Revival and the Birth of a Craft Community

The story begins in the late 18th century, during the reign of Phraya Kawila of the Chao Jed Ton dynasty, the king who restored Chiang Mai after long years under Burmese control. At the start of the Rattanakosin era, large numbers of people from the Shan State and Sipsongpanna (Xishuangbanna) were invited to settle in the north. The northern expression for this invitation was vivid: “put the vegetables in the basket, put the people in the town.”

These newcomers brought exceptional skill in lacquerware. Their first settlement was the village of Nantharam (Ban Nantharam) in Muang District, Chiang Mai — a place that remains one of the historic centres of the craft to this day. From the time of Phraya Kawila onward, the artisans produced refined household and ceremonial objects for royal and noble families: flower trays for Buddha images, clothes caskets, food trays and betel-nut containers. The beauty and durability of the work soon attracted traders, and the products began travelling as far as Bangkok. The knowledge has been passed from generation to generation ever since.

How Authentic Lanna Lacquerware Is Made

True Lanna lacquerware (เครื่องเขิน / khrueang khoen) starts with a base of woven bamboo or carefully carved wood. Multiple layers of natural black lacquer — called yang luk or yang rak — are then applied. This lacquer is the sap of the black-varnish tree (Melanorrhoea usitata / Gluta usitata), harvested from the forests of the region. Each layer must dry thoroughly before the next is added. The result is a surface that is remarkably resistant to water and moisture, with a deep, lustrous sheen that no synthetic coating can fully replicate.

Once the black ground is perfected, the decoration begins. The most celebrated technique is Lai Thong — gold-leaf patterns that appear almost to float on the glossy surface. Other traditional methods include egg-shell inlay, fine scratching and colour filling, painted florals, and free brushwork inspired by nature. The motifs you see on our pieces — mythical creatures, temple forms, elephants and elegant florals — belong to this same visual language that has adorned Lanna objects for generations.

Why These Pieces Matter

• Natural materials only — bamboo or wood + genuine tree lacquer
• Time-intensive process — many layers, careful drying, hand decoration
• Cultural continuity — still practiced in communities such as Nantharam
• Functional beauty — protective, durable, and made to be used and admired for decades

Quality pieces from this tradition have long been recognized. Workshops in the area have received Community Product Standard certification, the Chiang Mai Brand mark, and OTOP Product Champion awards.

Caring for Your Lacquerware

Treat your piece gently and it will reward you for a lifetime. After use, simply wipe it with a soft cloth dampened with clean water. Avoid harsh detergents, prolonged soaking, or abrasive scrubbing. Store away from extreme heat or direct sunlight when not on display.

Bring a Piece of Lanna Heritage Home

Every box in our Lanna Lacquerware collection is handcrafted by Northern Thai artisans who continue this exact tradition. Whether you choose a Garuda battling Naga, a pair of mythical elephants, golden birds, or a refined floral design, you are bringing home a small fragment of Lanna history — made the same way it has been for more than two hundred years.