Oriental Lacquer Art and Technique by K. Herberts is a landmark comprehensive study of the art and technical craft of lacquerware from East Asia, first published in English in 1962 by Thames and Hudson in London. This substantial volume spans approximately 515 pages and remains one of the most detailed books available on the subject, offering both historical context and practical insight into the materials, methods and cultural significance of lacquer art as seen in China, Japan and neighbouring regions. Oriental Lacquer Art and Technique was translated into English from German and was intended for collectors, artists, conservators and scholars interested in understanding this complex decorative tradition.
In Oriental Lacquer Art and Technique, Herberts navigates the evolution of lacquer from its ancient origins in East Asia to the highly refined techniques developed over centuries, presenting the subject with rich visual support. The book includes hundreds of tipped‑in photographic illustrations and colour plates that depict a wide array of lacquer objects, surface decorations and technical stages of production. Beyond visual documentation, Oriental Lacquer Art and Technique offers discussions of various processes such as carved lacquer, dry lacquer and inlaid mother‑of‑pearl work, and it explains technical terms and methods that are essential for appreciating—and in some cases reproducing—traditional lacquer techniques.
Readers of Oriental Lacquer Art and Technique will find not only artistic inspiration but also academic value in its glossary of technical terms, bibliographies and notes on Japanese and Chinese lacquer artists. The volume serves as both an educational resource and a visual celebration of lacquer’s extraordinary aesthetic range. Its expansive coverage and authoritative presentation make it a prized reference for anyone passionate about the decorative arts or the material history of East Asian craft traditions.
