Painted Balancing Bamboo Dragonflies — Set of 10

This hand-painted bamboo dragonfly set of ten is tuned to balance on the beak — a small floating grove in one box. Each piece is split, shaped, sanded, painted and tuned at the Liên Xoan workshop in Thạch Xá.

No two pieces in a set are painted identically. Xoan mixes the colours and paints freehand — the family in the same palette, but each with its own pattern. Set them side by side on a shelf and the variation is the point.

What you get

• Ten (10) hand-painted bamboo dragonflies
• Choose a size at checkout: 7 cm, 10 cm, 12 cm, or 15 cm wingspan — all ten in the set are the same size
• Mixed colour palette — assorted, painted in the same style by the same hands

How the painted bamboo dragonfly set is made

Mature northern Vietnamese bamboo is split by hand along the grain, shaped, sanded smooth, then painted one piece at a time with water-based paints. Each dragonfly is tuned last — on the artisan’s fingertip, by feel — until it rests in balance without glue or counterweight.

Details

• Material: Bamboo, water-based paints.
• Sizes: 7 cm, 10 cm, 12 cm, or 15 cm wingspan (set of the same size).
• Care: Dust with a soft brush. Keep away from direct sunlight and moisture so the paint holds its colour.
• Origin: Handmade in Thôn Đồng Sống, Xã Tây Phương, Hà Nội, Vietnam.
• Each piece is unique — pattern and palette vary slightly across the ten.

Where the painted dragonfly set belongs

Wedding centrepieces and event décor, shop and café windows, children’s rooms and classrooms, housewarming parcels, retailer starter packs, and anyone who wants a small, lively display of handmade craft rather than a single piece.

Running an event or a shop? Write to us for colour-matched sets and wholesale pricing.

A gift that floats

Looking for a handmade gift from Vietnam that isn’t another fridge magnet? A painted bamboo dragonfly balances on a fingertip, a pencil, the rim of a glass — and starts a conversation every time. Sets of ten make easy eco-friendly party favours, wedding-table pieces, classroom prizes, or stocking stuffers under $20. Light enough to post anywhere in the world, sturdy enough to survive the trip.

Frequently asked questions

How does the bamboo dragonfly balance?

Each dragonfly’s weight is concentrated in the forewings, which sit ahead of the beak. That puts the centre of gravity directly under the tip, so it rests level on a fingertip — pure physics, no glue, magnets, or counterweights. Read the full explanation.

What is it made of?

Mature northern-Vietnamese bamboo, split by hand along the grain and painted with water-based paints. No plastic anywhere in the product.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes — we pack each set flat and ship worldwide from Hanoi. Bamboo is light, so shipping stays affordable. See how we ship bamboo dragonflies overseas.

What if a dragonfly stops balancing?

Bamboo can shift slightly with humidity. It takes a minute to fix by hand — our guide on how to re-tune a bamboo dragonfly shows you how.

Is it suitable for children?

Yes — it is a traditional Vietnamese toy, played with for generations. Young children should play under supervision, as the beak tip is thin.

Why buy from our shop instead of a marketplace?

You pay less here — marketplaces add their fees on top of our workshop price — and direct orders often include a small bonus from the bench. Personalised engraving and several sets are only sold on this site, and every direct order supports the Liên Xoan family atelier in full.