Elegant, Shiny, Luxurious – Uniquely Beautiful!
In, A Little Girl in Old Boston, by Amanda Minnie Douglas, Doris Adams became an orphan at the age of ten and traveled to the newly formed United States of America to live with distant relatives. When she disembarked from the ship, most of her belongings were left on the ship and delivered to the home at a later date. Indeed, as such a young girl, the documents pertaining to her family were also delivered to the house separately.
They were hardly through supper when Captain Grier came with the very japanned box papa had brought over from France and place in Miss Arabella’s care. His name was on it – “Charles Winthrop Adams.” Oh, and that was Uncle Win’s name, too! Surely, they were relations! Doris experienced a sense of gladness.
While we don’t use the word japanned very often anymore, it refers to a glossy, lacquered finish, often applied to wood or metal. The term originates from Japan, where the technique was first developed and perfected. The Japanese were known for creating beautiful, shiny finishes that gave objects a smooth, polished appearance. As European countries began trading with Japan, this finish became highly sought after, and the term “japanned” was adopted to describe the style.
The process of japanning involves applying multiple layers of lacquer, sometimes mixed with other materials like gold leaf, to create a durable and shiny surface. This technique was often used to make furniture, boxes, and decorative items look luxurious and elegant. The deep black finish was especially popular during the 17th and 18th centuries.
The technique has influenced modern furniture and design. Many modern shiny finishes, like those found on some cars or kitchen appliances, can trace their origins back to japanning.
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