Bellows
maker
Unknown
Date19th century
Place MadeFrance, Europe
MediumPainted and varnished wood with leather and brass
Dimensions45.4 x 14.2 x 4 cm (17 7/8 x 5 9/16 x 1 9/16 in.)
ClassificationsTools and Equipment
Credit LineIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston
Accession numberM25w43.4
eMuseum ID722371
EmbARK ObjectID12071
Previous NumberM25w43-4
TMS Source ID1219
Last Updated10/25/24
Status
Not on viewWeb CommentaryThis fireplace bellows is distinguished by its japanning, a European technique to mimic Asian lacquer by layering ground, varnish, and pigments, and then polishing them to achieve a translucent, high-gloss appearance. Japanned surfaces like this one were often decorated with painted and gilt chinoiserie designs, floral motifs, figures, and birds.
BibliographyNotesKaeley Ferguson, "The Conservation of a Japanned Bookcase," Inside the Collection (blog), Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 22 September 2020, https://www.gardnermuseum.org/blog/conservation-japanned-bookcase
ProvenanceNotesEntered Isabella Stewart Gardner's collection by 1903.
