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Which kinds of furniture were commonly lacquered in 18th-century Europe?
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lacquerwork
Imperial Chinese throne of the Qianlong emperor (reigned 1735–96), red lacquer carved in dragons and floral scrolls, Qing dynasty; in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
In 18th-century Europe, the practice of lacquerwork—often referred to as japanning—became a highly fashionable method for decorating various types of furniture.12
The specific items favored for lacquering varied by region:
- England and Germany: Bookcase desks, tall clocks, and tea tables were among the most popular articles of lacquered furniture.1
- France and Italy: The chest of drawers and corner cabinet were the preferred pieces for this decorative treatment.1
Additionally, during the late 17th century, lacquer was frequently employed to decorate the cases of cabinets set upon carved Baroque bases. By the mid-18th century, cabinetmakers such as Giles Grendey were producing entire sets of furniture featuring Orientalizing lacquer designs. While these European imitations were never as hard or brilliant as authentic Oriental lacquer, they served as an admirable substitute that allowed craftsmen to adapt to the evolving, playful aesthetic of the rococo period.1