The China Cabinet
Exotic landscape scenes based on
Chinese laquerwork, painted porcelain,
and colorful silks gave collectors
entrée into an exotic unfamiliar
world. The pagoda-roofed pavilions,
wise sages in long robes, mysterious
foliage and birds created a perception
that all Chinese people lived in the lap
of luxury surrounded by natural riches
and beauty. The two high chests seen
here were made in Boston by artisans
who used gesso, shellac, gold leaf, and
paint to imitate Chinese and Japanese
lacquerwork. Similarly fantastic
scenes were printed on cotton fabric
by English textile manufacturers and
painted onto domestic earthenwares
like the examples seen here..
High Chest of Drawers, 1712–1725
Japanning attributed to Nehemiah Partridge
Boston, Massachusetts
Japanned pine with maple and brass hardware
Chipstone Foundation 1999.18
