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Japanning is a lacquering process in which wood is treated with multiple layers of varnish to both preserve and decorate the wood, often in a style imitative of Oriental designs. Layers of resin varnish, often similar in texture to that of shellac, would be laid down upon the wooden surface, with each layer heat-dried before the next was added, ending with a final polish.
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In Europe, the tradition of using purely natural lacquers, although in Britain synthetic varnishes such as asphaltum-based products were used. This style became extremely popular in the late 1700s, eventually evolving into other similar modes of lacquering like decoupage.
Although usually associated by its name with Japanese craft alone, the use of Japanning often drew upon Indian and Chinese styles as well, with the typical japanned wood consisting of a black grounding-colour covered in gold ornamentation. It could be used on virtually any surface of wood, and the strong resin coating ensured a durability and weather-resistance which lent itself well to pots, vases and even armchairs. The trend for japanning began in the late 1600s, with it becoming firmly entrenched in Europe and Britain for the latter half of the 18th century. However, the style went into decline in the 19th century as the fascination with Chinoiserie and Oriental-inspired crafts began to fade.
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