Boite de Spa

lacquerwork

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Last updated

June 22, 2026

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The term "Boite de Spa" refers to small lacquered boxes that were a specialty of Spa, a Belgian town, and nearby areas like Liège and Aachen. Lacquerwork itself involves applying colored varnishes to objects, often made of metal or wood. The word "lacquer" originates from "lac," a resinous substance, but the lacquer from China, Japan, and Korea, derived from the Rhus vernicifera tree sap, is distinct from other lacquers.12

European craftsmen began imitating East Asian lacquerwork in the 17th century, leading to innovations like the French vernis Martin and various imitations that became popular in the 18th century. While European imitations were admired, they generally did not match the hardness and brilliance of true Oriental lacquer.1

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lacquerwork
Europe
Small lacquered boxes called Boîte de Spa became a specialty of that Belgian town and the nearby centres of Liège and Aachen, where a member of the Dagly family was active.
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Small lacquered boxes called Boîte de Spa became a specialty of that Belgian town and the nearby centres of Liège and Aachen, where a member of the Dagly family was active.
Read More