Myanmar has many arts and crafts, which demonstrate the fact that Myanmar is a country with its own culture and traditions of which it is proud of. The craft of Lacquerware is one of the ten traditional arts and crafts. It is evident that from the facts of history the use of Lacquerware was very popular in Bagan period.

One kind of Lacquerware is made up of putty or a mixture of ashes, bone and resin. The name given to the kind of Lacquerware is “ Tha Yoe Pan Kyoe Yone” (or) “ decoration of Myanmar Lacquerware by bone”.

Nowadays, the embossing process can be done by preparing a putty or resin, ashes, bones, paddy-husk and straw.

This kinds of Lacquarware are made in Mandalay, Kengtung and Bagan regions, but the procedures to make this kinds of Lacquerware are different. Now, we would like to present the process of making Lacquerware in Bagan.

First, resin is heated on a fire, and ash is sieved to make it clean. And then they are mixed to a suitable amount. When the mixture becomes sticky, it is then put on an anvil and boater with a hummer.

The decoration is made by incising on the smooth surface of the Lacquerware. The required design is then etched on the surface and a colour is applied and dried in a damp, dark underground cellar, for 3 days. Then, etching, colouring and drying process are followed again and again, depending on how many colours you are using.

To make the threads for this Lacquerware, you first have to take the mixture that you have mixed as mentioned earlier and put it on the thread winding table and use the thread-winder made from Padauk-wood and do filigree work. The thickness of the thread will depend on the design which you will be painting.

Then you must paint the lacquerware you have the design on with resin very lightly. And to keep it thin thread on the lacquerware you have to use your nails to adjust the threads so that they won't fall off.

The craft man uses his finger and some tools to mould his designs. The designs are usually floral designs, elephant figures, monkey figures, lady or female figures, Kainnayee and kainnayar figures.

These moulded designs or figurines are sometimes gilded with gold and sometimes set with coloured glass pieces. Besides, the designs are decorated with gold and silver threads or modern paintings. This art can be observed on the ceilings of the Shwedagon Pagoda’s Tazaung, and the pillars at the Bagan Lacquerware Museum, of the Bagan Lacquerware College.You can also see the creation of this Lacquerware craft on the alm bowl fountain and on the walls of the meeting hall of the College.