Lacquer Techniques in the Late Joseon Dynasty

This study conducted scientific analyses on eight objects of wooden lacquerware to understand the manufacturing techniques of wooden lacquerware in the late Joseon Dynasty. The results of lacquer layer analysis with a microscope and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry revealed that most samples were composed of 1–3 lacquer layers. Moreover, a red-colored layer was found to be red ocher and cinnabar, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis was carried out to determine the components of the lacquer layer. The detected components were mostly lacquer and partially cashew shell nut liquid.