ORIENTAL LACQUER: Art and Technique

Although the lacquer technique was first used 2,300 years ago, the first objects were not discovered until the seventeenth century. Now, three centuries later, there are a ""few discriminating collectors"" and connoisseurs; for this limited, select audience, Dr. Herberts' extensive reference book will be of value. The main portion consists of 324 plates, 104 in color--all carefully annotated, but poorly laid out, leaving too many unnecessary blank spaces. Following are an interpretive essay, a glossary of techniques and terms, an index of Japanese lacquer masters, a bibliography and chronology. Libraries will not welcome the weak binding or the insecurely tipped-in plates which will be a tempting invitation to predators.