The lacquering technique was first developed in China in the 4th century BC. Lacquer comes from the resin of the Asian Sumac (Toxicodendron vernicifluum). The tree is widely distributed in East Asia. The resin is harvested, like rubber latex, by cutting into the bark of a lacquer tree and collecting the caramel-coloured liquid resin as it flows. The resin is applied as a thin coating over a wooden substrate. Once dry or “cured”, the coating is then hand polished. This is repeated eight times. Then the paint effect is applied with lacquer that has been coloured with natural mineral-based pigment. After this layer is dry, a further nine layers of lacquer are applied.