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The Conservation of a Japanned Bookcase

Learn more about japanning, a special technique that has many layers—just like the history of the bookcase at the center of this story!

written by Kaeley Ferguson, Conservation Technician

published on September 22nd, 2020

2 minute read

Chinese, Hanging Bookcase, late 19th century–early 20th century — Chinese, *Hanging Bookcase*, late 19th century–early 20th century

This 18th- or 19th-century bookcase hangs in the Vatichino, a small gallery on the first floor of the Palace. The bookcase 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. As you can see in the magnified image illuminated with ultraviolet light, this particular area of the decoration consists of 13 layers! They include wood, ground, pigment, varnish, dirt, and even gold leaf.

Sample taken from the hanging bookcase under ultraviolet light showing 13 layers of ground, varnish, and pigments

This fireplace bellows in the Veronese Room features the same technique. As seen in this image, taken during its treatment in 2014, the layers create a deep, rich red color on its interior.

French, Bellows, 19th century, during its 2014 conservation treatment

Japanned surfaces were often decorated with painted and gilt chinoiserie designs, floral motifs, figures, and birds—all of which are found on both of the Gardner’s red, japanned objects! This Commode (chest of drawers) from the Titian Room features these designs in a plethora of different colors. The discolored varnish over this blue japanning turned the surface green!

Italian, Central Italy, Commode (Comò), mid 18th century — Italian, Central Italy, *Commode (Comò)*, mid 18th century

After the Vatichino was turned into a coat room in the 1970s, the hanging bookcase remained in storage for decades. In the summer of 2019, the Vatichino was opened as a gallery, allowing for objects that were previously in storage, including the bookcase, to be displayed. In preparation, the Conservation team’s first steps to treat this object were to clean and consolidate the japanned surfaces simultaneously. Our goal was to set down the flaking pieces with an appropriate adhesive in order to prevent further loss during cleaning. Once stable, we cleaned the surface to restore its high-gloss appearance. Next, we filled in areas of loss to match the thickness of the japanning. The fill material was cast, then cut to the shape of the loss and adhered in place. This method successfully mimicked the sheen and color of the original japanning, and created a more cohesive appearance, allowing our visitors to appreciate the piece as a whole.