Chinese
Hanging Bookcase, late 19th century - early 20th century
Lacquer, 89.85 x 44.45 x 13.97 cm (35 3/8 x 17 1/2 x 5 1/2 in.)
This is a red Chinese lacquer hanging bookcase. The top portion has three glass paneled sections that have wood frames that are decorated with gilded temples, willow trees, birds and cross hatching. The interior of the bookcase has two shelves and is painted green. These sections extend to three wood panels that taper downward to a point. The center triangular panel has a scene of two women in the foreground who are wearing robes. One woman has an umbrella. In the background is a pagoda and willow trees.
Vatichino
Commentary
This hanging bookcase was a gift from the American architect, Edwin Sherrill Dodge (1874–1938), to Isabella Stewart Gardner in the early 20th century. It is notable for its japanned finish, a European finishing technique created to imitate East Asian lacquer. Lacquerware from East Asia became popular in Europe during the 17th century. It is created by treating, dying, and drying sap from the highly toxic Toxicodendron vernicifluum tree, a type of poison oak native to East Asia. Almost as soon as it was first imported, European craftsmen began experimenting with different finishes in hopes of reproducing the lacquer. Imitation techniques like the one used on this bookcase would soon become known as “japanning,” which simply uses many coats of highly-polished varnish.