Shellacs and Varnishes
In Central Asia the types of trees that grow in East and Southeast Asia to produce durable lacquers can not survive. Instead different types of shellacs and varnishes were made from other resins extracted from different trees, seeds, insects and animal products. In the Near East (present-day Turkey and Iran) shellacs were made from the resin of the Pinaceous sandarac tree. In Kashmir, India layers of papier-mâché were coated with dor made from glue, sugar and yellow paint. In other areas of India and the Himalayas shellac was made from a non-toxic resin excreted by female scale insects (Tachardia lacca). In Tibet, tung oil made from tung tree (Vernicia fordii) seeds and linseed oils (from pressed flax seed) coated wood and cloth surfaces.