Lacquered gourds are traditional handicrafts where natural lacquer is repeatedly applied, sealed, and polished on the surface of gourds. The process includes the following steps:
Selection and Peeling: Choose dried gourds with suitable shapes and clean off their outer skin thoroughly.
Seed Removal and Drying: Scoop out the internal seeds and pulp, then dry the gourds completely to prepare for lacquering.
Boiling and Coloring: Sometimes, the gourds are boiled to alter their base color or enhance their impermeability.
Lacquering: Apply natural lacquer repeatedly on both the inner and outer surfaces of the gourds. After each coat dries, sand it smooth before applying the next layer. Repeat this process multiple times to ensure water resistance, durability, and a glossy finish.
Burnishing and Polishing: Buff and burnish the lacquer layers to achieve a smoother and more lustrous surface.
Stopper Making and Decoration: Once the lacquering is done, craft gourd stoppers, attach binding cords, or paint patterns for embellishment.
The entire handcrafted process can take several weeks to months to complete, as each coat of lacquer requires repeated drying and sanding under appropriate humidity and temperature conditions before proceeding to the next step.