Japanned

Japanned is most often a heavy black lacquer, almost like enamel paint, applied to give a smooth glossy finish. It can also come in reds, greens and blues.

Originating in India, China and Japan as a decorative coating for pottery, it made its way into Europe by the 1600s. Because of the high European demand and rumors that the higher quality pieces were not exported, production was started there in the late 17th century. In its traditional form, it can be found as gold designs and pictorials contrasting with the black base color.

It was also used to protect papier-mâché, wood, metal objects such as hand planes, and as such was part of the original basis for the The Art of Japanning. Later it was as an insulating film on transformer laminations. It was also used as the substrate for the tintype photographic process.