Study of the red lacquer from a pair of Namban stirrups by Py-GC/MS

Oriental lacquer is a material of vegetal origin that is used in the Asian countries as a coating for the most varied kinds of religious and civil use objects. With the Portuguese arrival to the East, the Europeans started to develop a taste for the exotic and exquisite Art of Lacquer. From the 16th century onwards a lacquerware market developed with numerous lacquered objects being brought to Europe. In this work, the red lacquer from a pair of Namban stirrups was studied by Py-GC/MS (pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry). The results were compared with lacquer references, and the lacquer type was identified. Based on the results, the stirrups' lacquering technique and the performance of Py-CG/MS in the identification of oriental lacquers are also discussed.