High chest of drawers

Unknown

1710–25 · Painted white pine, poplar, basswood · The American Wing

The decoration on this chest, with its motifs and palette of red, orange, and what was originally bright yellow on a black ground, was meant to imitate a technique known as japanning. Beginning in the mid-seventeenth century, imported Japanese and Chinese lacquer cabinets and screens became extremely popular in England. This lacquer work was much imitated in London on furniture and wall paneling. The technique eventually spread to Boston by about 1700.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1710–25

Medium

Painted white pine, poplar, basswood

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. Russell Sage, 1909