Lao lacquer culture and history—Analysis of Lao lacquer wares

Four kinds of Lao lacquer wares were analyzed using a digital optical microscope, infrared, field emission scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, and pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. 3-Heptylphenol, 3-pentadecanylphenol, 3-(10-phenyldecyl)phenol, and 3-(12-phenyldodecyl)phenol, which belong to the characteristic pyrolysis products of thitsiol were detected in the mass chromatograms at m/z = 108 of all the objects. In addition, some kind of natural resin was also detected. These results suggest that in the development of Lao lacquer history and culture, lacquer workers used the local lacquer resources to produce lacquer-ware, and learned to use natural resin in the restoration and protection of the lacquer-ware.

► Four kinds of Lao lacquer wares were analyzed.
► 3-Heptylphenol and 3-pentadecanylphenol which belongs to the characteristic pyrolysis products of thitsiol were detected.
► The results shown that Lao people have used local lacquer as an adhesive or coating material.
► During the restoration of lacquer wares, Lao people were also able to use natural resin efficiently.