Amsterdam-based Ming Design Studio put a modern slant on the traditional technique of lacquering to create Bold, curved wooden stools with a glazed finish to make you "want to touch it".
Ming Design Studio founders Zhiya Huang and Mingshuo Zhang were inspired to work with lacquer after visiting China, where they witnessed the lacquering process first hand.
Ming Design Studio made the Bold stools from wood and lacquer
Lacquer, which dates back to the neolithic period, is a liquid made of shellac dissolved in alcohol that dries to form a hard protective coating.
As the duo explained, the material is typically applied to objects like bowls, containers or hard-edged furniture, and is often known as an anti-corrosive surface treatment.
Huang and Zhang wanted to reveal its less conventional qualities and bring the traditional material into the 21st century by applying it to modern design. One of the stools is coated in multiple layers of lacquer to give it a glazed finish
"We were fascinated by lacquer ? an ancient, natural material, but rarely known," they explained.
"Its colour, layer of depth, texture, tactility, production process and the stories behind it all deeply attracted us. But this material is gradually disappearing, not so many people recognise its value anymore."

"Lacquer is a living material, which changes colour over the years ? we may say it is like a wine, the longer [it's left] the better," the designers continued.
"...