maldivian arts | lacquered work

Photo: A lacquer box used as a picnic hamper for a Four Season Resorts Maldives excursion.

Lacquer work or ‘Liye laajehun’ as called in Dhivehi is a captivating, and maybe the most distinctive Maldivian traditional handicrafts, which are mostly produced in Thulaadhoo in Baa Atoll. From a long time, Lacquered crafts have been used for decors and to display the artistry of Maldivian craftsmen.

In the olden times, the craftsmen used three colors to add hue to the lacquer which are yellow, red and black, all of which were produced using local materials. Although in present days, ready-made colors are being used such as oil colors, gold & silver dust is also used to add a more exquisite look to the design. Traditionally, lacquer application or ‘Laa Jehun’ refers to the process where lacquer is stamped onto an object without melting using heat, instead a stand called ‘Dhigu haru’ or ‘Bomakandhu’ is used for application which is worked manually even though nowadays, electrical machinery are being used. After the lacquer is applied, the artist carves beautiful floral designs into the lacquer work.

With the revolving of time and modernization, lacquer works are done on a variety of objects such as wood and metallic objects, glass and paper products. Since the introduction of the tourism industry to Maldives, lacquered works were famous as souvenirs for the guests. Like most Maldivian art, lacquer working is an obsolete art form which is now being practiced in a handful of local islands. In order to revive this wondrous fading art form, courses are being conducted for the locals.