LAC. 
37 
The only tools employed are small round tapered sticks, about 8 inches 
long, of some hard wood. The specimens in the Museum collection 
are cut from some kind of palm. The lac pigment is softened over 
glowing charcoal and a portion transferred to the point of this dis¬ 
tributing tool, and worked about until it thickly covers about an inch 
of the extremity. This, in its turn, is again heated over the charcoal, 
and when sufficiently soft is spread evenly over the surface of the 
object by means of the same wooden tool. The object that is being 
coloured is itself repeatedly warmed to ensure the even distribution 
of the colour. The coating of pigment is then smoothed and polished 
with a strip of “ ola ” (Talipot leaf), a final polishing being given with 
a piece of soft rag. Upon this groundwork all the other colours that 
form the pattern are overlaid in the manner described below. For 
this purpose the lac pigments are drawn out into threads of varying 
fineness in the following manner. A small piece of the requisite 
colour is attached to the point of the wooden tool. It is repeatedly 
heated and kneaded upon the piece of palm leaf, to the smooth surface 
of which it does not adhere. When sufficiently ductile, the tool 
being held in the left hand, a piece of the softened mass is taken 
between the finger and thumb of the right hand and drawn out into 
a thread which, as it extends, is wound off round the bare knee and 
left hand of the operator, forming a short skein ; the thread being 
finally pinched off with the thumb nail. The thickness of the thread 
depends upon the rapidity of the drawing action ; the fine threads 
being produced by a rapid movement, while the broader ribbon-like 
threads are formed by a slower action. 
To make the pattern—which is usually in thin lines of a lighter 
colour on the dark background—a thread of lac pigment of suitable 
thickness and tint is selected. The object is warmed, the end of the 
thread attached at the desired point and held in position with the 
thumb of the left hand. The thread is then applied, being made to 
follow any curves required by the pattern, and is finally cut off at the 
right spot with the finger nail. That portion of the object is then 
again warmed, and the filament of colour pressed firmly into the 
substance of the groundwork by means of the strip of palm leaf. 
Broader bands of colour are formed by applying many threads side by 
side. When warmed and pressed into position, the several threads 
coalesce, losing all trace of their composite origin. Dots are formed by 
applying the end of the thread and cutting off a minute piece with the 
thumb nail. Such dots are consequently square-or diamond-shaped. 
In this manner the most intricate patterns are traced on the coloured 
ground, and great artistic taste is displayed in the execution. To 
ensure symmetry, the distances are carefully measured with thin strips 
of the palm leaf. The work is finally polished with a piece of soft 
cotton cloth, apparently without the assistance of any oil or other 
lubricant. 
