Lacquer+Paint

Nail Polish (Or nail lacquer)

Lacquer paint gives something a smooth, glossy finish. After lacquer paint drys and hardens, it strengthens the surface it was applied to. In ancient China, Laquer paint was not only used to color pottery and wood, but a clear version of the paint would coat the outside of wood, acting as a varnish.

Lacquer paint was first invented in about 772 B.C. In ancient China, though the inventor is still unknown. Many different things were decorated with lacquer paint, including coffins, and containers for many precious objects. Many of the designs that were painted reflected nature.

In ancient China, lacquer paint had no practical purpose. It was a luxury, and was used to make things look nicer and smoother. Now, the same reasons are still in existance. For example, nail polish is a type of lacquer paint. People do not use nail polish for any practical purpose, rather for its looks. Also, our tables are covered in varnish, a lacquer, the clear version of lacquer paint. We don't need to have varnish on the tables, but it looks nicer, and is smoother than if the wood had been smoothed using sand paper.

Ancient Chinese design with lacquer paint