Eggshell mosaic box, 'Contrasts'

A graceful box with rounded corners and flat lid is hewn from mango wood. An eggshell mosaic contrasts richly with the jet black lacquer of the background and interior. The result is an original keepsake container with a modern flair, handcrafted by Subin Tositarat using traditional Thai techniques handed down over generations. Carved by hand from mango wood, the box receives up to twenty coats of lacquer, with drying periods between each coat. Next, eggshells are cracked into small pieces and arranged in the desired mosaic design. A coat of lacquer is applied to the piece and the shells placed onto this fresh coat. The piece is then lacquered twice more and, once dry, it is sanded in water until the eggshells slowly appear.