Hand-Painted Lacquer Hair Comb with Plum Blossom & Magpie Design

At first glance, this lacquer hair comb might look like just another beautiful hair accessory. But look closer and you'll notice something different—the way light catches the gold details in the plum blossoms, how the magpies seem to rest naturally among the branches, the warm glow of the lacquer finish itself.

This is a traditionally crafted Chinese lacquer comb made with natural materials and hand-painted details. Only 2 pieces remain in stock.

Size: 12 × 7 cm, thickness 1.2 cm

Why a Lacquer Comb?

If you've only ever used plastic or metal combs, a lacquerware comb feels completely different in your hand and on your hair.

For your hair
Natural lacquer has a smooth, polished surface that glides through hair without snagging. Unlike plastic, it doesn't create static electricity, so your hair stays smoother instead of frizzing up after combing.

The lacquer coating is applied over boxwood, a traditional material valued for being dense and fine-grained. It's naturally antibacterial and doesn't absorb oils or moisture the way some woods do.

For daily use
The medium tooth spacing works for most hair types—fine enough to detangle gently, wide enough not to pull or break hair. The thickness (1.2 cm) gives it enough weight to feel substantial without being heavy.

The rounded tips of the teeth are polished smooth. This matters more than you'd think—rough comb tips can scratch your scalp over time.

As an object
Even when you're not using it, this comb is nice to have around. The hand-painted plum blossoms and magpies give it the feel of a small painting. It's the kind of thing that sits on a dresser and makes that space feel more considered.

The Design: Plum Blossoms & Magpies

The imagery on this Chinese lacquer comb isn't random decoration. In Chinese culture, plum blossoms represent resilience—they bloom in late winter when other flowers won't. Magpies symbolize joy and good fortune.

Together, the combination is called "喜上眉梢" (xǐ shàng méi shāo), which translates roughly to "joy perched on plum branches." It's a traditional symbol of happiness arriving, of good things to come.

The flowers and birds are painted by hand using a technique that involves dusting gold powder into wet lacquer layers. This is why the gold has that slightly irregular, organic quality rather than looking stamped or printed. Each stroke had to be applied while the lacquer was at exactly the right stage of drying.

What It's Made From

Natural urushi lacquer
This is sap tapped from lacquer trees, similar to how maple syrup is harvested. The raw sap is milky white but oxidizes and darkens when exposed to air, eventually hardening into a durable, water-resistant coating.

Lacquer has been used in China for over 7,000 years because it genuinely protects and preserves. It's resistant to water, mild acids, and general wear. It doesn't chip or peel the way paint does.

Boxwood base
The comb teeth are carved from boxwood (黄杨木), which has been the preferred material for Chinese combs for centuries. It's a slow-growing hardwood with an extremely fine grain, which means it can be carved thin without splintering.

Gold detailing
The gold you see in the design is actual metal powder—not gold-colored paint. It's applied in layers and sealed under additional coats of lacquer, which is why it doesn't rub off.

Agate and copper accents
Small agate and copper details are inlaid in some areas, adding subtle color variations and another layer of craft.

The Craft Process

Making a lacquerware comb like this takes weeks, not because anyone is being slow, but because lacquer can't be rushed.

First, the boxwood is shaped and the teeth are carved. Then comes the lacquer application—multiple thin coats, each one requiring complete drying before the next layer. Lacquer cures through oxidation, not evaporation, so it needs time and specific humidity conditions.

Once the base coats are stable, the artisan paints the design freehand. This is where the gold powder gets applied—dusted onto wet lacquer in a technique that originated in Tang Dynasty China (though it later became associated with Japanese crafts after being adopted there in the 9th century).

More lacquer layers seal the design, then the whole piece is polished by hand. The final surface should have a soft glow—not matte, not high-gloss, somewhere in between.

It's a specialized skill set. The number of people who can do this type of work well has been declining, which is part of why these pieces feel valuable beyond just their materials.

The Gift Tradition

In Chinese culture, giving a comb carries specific meanings that go deeper than just "here's something useful."

As a romantic gesture
Historically, combs were common gifts between people in relationships. The daily act of combing hair represented being present in someone's life, caring for them in small, consistent ways. It implied "I want to be part of your everyday routine."

For weddings
Combs often appear in traditional wedding customs, symbolizing the hope for a smooth, harmonious marriage. The phrase "白头偕老" (growing old together with white hair) connects to the image of a couple still caring for each other's hair in old age.

For birthdays or milestones
Giving a comb can express wishes for good fortune, health, and smooth sailing ahead. The act of combing is seen as "smoothing away troubles" or "untangling complications."

Between friends
It can represent deep care and the wish to see someone happy. Not romantic necessarily, just meaningful.

This cultural weight makes a hand-painted lacquer comb particularly appropriate when you want a gift that says something beyond "I bought you a thing."

Comparing Comb Materials

Not all combs are created equal. Here's how lacquer stacks up:

The lacquer coating gives you the benefits of wood (anti-static, gentle) plus water resistance and longevity that unfinished wood can't match.

How to Use & Care For It

Daily use
Use it as you would any comb. The lacquer surface is water-resistant, so it's fine if your hair is slightly damp, but don't leave it soaking in water.

Start from the ends and work up to avoid pulling. The smooth teeth should glide through without much resistance.

Cleaning
Wipe with a soft, dry cloth after use. If there's product buildup, you can use a barely damp cloth, but dry it immediately after.

Don't use alcohol-based cleaners or anything abrasive.

Storage
Keep it at room temperature, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Lacquer doesn't like sudden temperature swings.

If you're traveling with it, wrap it in soft cloth to prevent scratches (though the lacquer surface is quite resilient).

Longevity
With basic care, a lacquer comb can last decades. The finish actually improves over time, developing a deeper patina. Many people inherit these from parents or grandparents and they're still perfectly usable.

Is This Right for You?

This Chinese lacquer comb makes sense if:

• You appreciate objects that are made slowly and carefully
• You want something functional that also has aesthetic presence
• You're looking for a meaningful gift that carries cultural significance
• You prefer natural materials over plastic
• You like the idea of owning something that will still be beautiful in 20 years

It might not be right if you're looking for something purely practical with no decorative element, or if you need a comb with very specific teeth spacing for a particular hair texture.

At $119, you're paying for genuine handwork, natural materials, and traditional craft skills that are increasingly rare. It's positioned as a considered purchase—the kind of thing you think about and appreciate, not something you grab on impulse.

With only 2 pieces left, it's genuinely limited. These take weeks to produce, so restocking isn't quick.

Product Details

• Dimensions: 12 cm × 7 cm
• Thickness: 1.2 cm
• Materials: Boxwood, natural urushi lacquer, gold powder, agate, copper
• Design: Hand-painted plum blossoms and magpies
• Finish: Polished lacquer with soft sheen
• Tooth spacing: Medium, suitable for most hair types
• Care: Wipe clean with soft cloth
• Origin: Traditional Chinese lacquerware craft
• Stock: Only 2 pieces available

Add to Your Collection

Whether you're buying this lacquer hair comb for yourself or as a gift, you're getting something made the slow way—with natural materials, hand-applied details, and techniques that have been refined over centuries.

The plum blossom and magpie design carries wishes for joy and good fortune. The natural lacquer and boxwood treat your hair gently. And the craft itself represents a type of making that's worth preserving.

Only 2 remaining. New pieces require 3-4 weeks of production time when sold out.