Cabinet, ca. 1690

This ornate cabinet from the household of Sir Richard Hill (1655–1727) was lacquered ("japanned") with an imitation of Asian lacquer. Unlike real lacquer, which is extracted from the sap of the lacquer tree, the imitation was based on resins available in Europe. The process was called "japanning" and was first used on furniture and later on smaller metal objects to protect them from rust.

Cabinet on Stand, japanned oak and softwood cabinet, 1690–1700, unknown manufacturer; image source: © Victoria and Albert Museum, London, inventory number W.20:1 to 16-1959, https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O53113/cabinet-on-stand-unknown/.