Lacquer Craft in the Maldives

Liyelaa Jehun, a locally known lacquer work, is one of the most distinctive forms of handicraft. In simple terms, a piece of wood is sculpted into the desired shape and then coated with layers of different colors of lacquer. Once the lacquer coating is finished, it is polished with dry leaves. Intricate patterns are engraved on the item with simple tools without any stencils.