Treatise of Japanning and Varnishing

The Treatise of Japanning and Varnishing, published in 1688 by John Stalker and George Parker, was the first text to include pattern illustrations for japanning. Japanning is a decorative art process popular in 18th-century Europe, used to finish and ornament materials like wood and leather by imitating Japanese lacquerwork.12

The term "japanning" was inspired by the perceived superiority of Japanese lacquer, which Stalker described as more beautiful and majestic than other lacquers. While European craftsmen aimed to replicate the intricate designs and finishes of East Asian lacquer, they also began to incorporate European motifs and a wider range of background colors. This imitation lacquer became a significant decorative technique, though it never quite matched the hardness and brilliance of true Oriental lacquer.1