Object details
Accession number
M25w43.4
Primary Creator
French
Full title
Bellows
Creation Date
19th century
Provenance
Entered Isabella Stewart Gardner's collection by 1903.
Dimensions
45.4 x 14.2 x 4 cm (17 7/8 x 5 9/16 x 1 9/16 in.)
Display Media
Painted and varnished wood with leather and brass
Web Commentary
This 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.
Permanent Gallery Location
Veronese Room
Rights and reproductions
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