Cinnabar Japanned side table
Cinnabar Japanned side table
7519
An early 20th century Japanned side table in cinnabar red on cabriole legs, circa 1910.
Japanned decoration is a decorative finish developed in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries, inspired by the lacquerware imported from China and Japan. Since true Asian lacquer techniques relied on materials unavailable in Europe, craftsmen created imitation finishes using layers of varnish, paint, and shellac.
Japanning became especially popular in Britain during the Georgian and Victorian periods, appearing on furniture, trays, tea caddies, papier-mâché objects, and metalware. Typical designs featured black or dark backgrounds decorated with gilded landscapes, floral motifs, birds, and chinoiserie scenes.
The finish provided both beauty and durability, and today antique japanned pieces remain highly collectible for their craftsmanship and exotic aesthetic.
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