The origin of the name Dammar is Malay, and simply means “resin”. Dammer is a number of things. However, in the context of art, it is a varnish favoured by many oil painters and is used extensively by art restorers.
The Varnish was first introduced to British artists in 1826 through the subcontinent, which was then ‘on loan’ to the British Empire. Dammer gum or resin is the product of tree sap from the trees genera Shorea and Hopea. These are common in India and East Asia.
See also natural varnish
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