HOW 20TH CENTURY ICONS REINVENTED EGGSHELL LACQUER

In 1900, the Japanese government sent a delegation to the Exposition Universelle in Paris to demonstrate Japanese superiority in lacquer art. After the Exposition closed, one of those Japanese artists, Seizo Sugawara, decided to remain in Paris, where he set up his own workshop, in collaboration with Eileen Gray.

In 1912, Sugawara crossed paths with Jean Dunand, an accomplished French metal smith. Sugawara wanted to learn about techniques for forming metal vases, and Dunand wanted to learn about decorative lacquer techniques. They decided to exchange workshop secrets.

The result was a creative explosion that made Dunand one of the foremost artists of the Art Deco period. He combined traditional Oriental lacquer techniques with contemporary forms and abstract decorative designs. His artistry translated into boldly patterned screens, tables, and vases that today are collected by museums and connoisseurs of fine art worldwide.

john lyle design: modern luxury using old-world artistry

There are so many gorgeous ways to use eggshell lacquer in your interiors. Whether it be our traditional inlay pattern, brushed inlay, our "snakeskin" color combinations, or your own custom pattern, eggshell lacquer has a sleek visual texture from afar, that gets more and more luxurious and fascinating as the eye gets closer and closer...

Here are some beautiful examples from our collection.