Ancient Heavenly King Bust (One of four Buddhist gods who watch over each of the cardinal directions of the world) found in Japan: “This sculpture has been made by superimposing layers of soaked hemp lacquer: hemp can be woven ( lower layer ) or ground to produce a paste which allows for relief ( upper layers ) . The color being provided by the pigment impregnated lacquer.” Japan from the Nara period , late eighth century (around 791ad)
