This has been a passion project. I have grown to love every millimetre of this beautiful 19th century Chinese Famille Rose Canton vase of exceptional quality, that was entrusted to me. It arrived in pieces, after being accidentally shattered [I think by a cricket ball]… revealing a pile of old corks and cigarette butts.
Over months, I cleaned, prepared and repaired, using the traditional kintsugi process that uses urushi lacquer: to make the glue, to make the putty, to build up the layers, and layers, and layers using roroi [black] urushi … and then the final layer of bengara [red] urushi before adding 23.75 carat gold. It took nearly 2 years to complete as, because of its size, I couldn’t work on it during the colder months – I do not have a muro [humidity chamber] big enough.
I am forever grateful to its previous owners, who so generously gave it to me, understanding how much it had come to mean to me. I am eternally grateful. It has become my exhibition piece and there is not a day that it does not lift my spirits and give me joy.
I couldn’t, wouldn’t, have dared to attempt this without the encouragement of Yuko Gunji – the most generous of mentors, I will never be able repay her for her encouragement, knowledge and kindness.
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