Vietnamese Black Lacquer Landscape Painting. A tropical river scene with traditional Vietnamese boats, palm trees, and thatched huts set against a stark, black background. The painting utilizes bold, contrasting colors like deep yellows, reds, and oranges to illuminate the figures and foliage.

Size: 15 1/2 x 24 in. 

Vietnamese black lacquer painting, known as sơn mài, is a traditional art form that combines natural lacquer from the sơn tree with pigments, gold or silver leaf, and finely ground materials like eggshell or mother-of-pearl to create richly layered, luminous images. Artists apply multiple coats—often dozens—then sand, polish, and re-polish the surface to reveal hidden colors and textures beneath the glossy black lacquer. Originating from ancient decorative practices and later refined at the École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine in the early 20th century, the technique became a uniquely Vietnamese fusion of craft and modern fine art. The resulting works are known for their depth, iridescence, and dreamlike interplay of light, making them one of Vietnam’s most distinctive artistic traditions.

All items are sold AS IS. Lot and condition details are for descriptive purposes only. Sarasota Estate Auction is not responsible for errors and/or omissions of condition. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is perfect or free from wear, flaws, or characteristics of age. Please bid according to your own expertise, or request any additional information and/or photographs you deem necessary.