20th-century Japanese furniture in America

Because it was readily available, wood was a good building material in Japan. Additionally, the development of woodworking techniques helped to produce a large number of everyday wooden goods. To increase the longevity of wooden and waterproof products, lacquer coating was utilized. The use of lacquer in the creation of artwork peaked in the fifteenth century. The oldest well-known lacquer furniture in Japan is made of earthenware that was lacquered in black and crimson around 4500 B.C. It follows that lacquer furniture has a long history in Japan. The Japanese lacquer furniture is related to the one used in Southeast Asia which is made from the sap of urushi tree. Urushi lacquer has beautiful properties so that it can only harden under high humidity after which, it becomes waterproof, resistant to rotting, and a good conductor of heat. Urushi lacquer was widely used in coating wooden bowls and protective layers of furniture. While wood is the widely used material for lacquer, it can be used in leather, pottery, and basketry. In the modern times, urushi is applied to metals and plastics. However, the lacquering procedure varies slightly in each part of Japan. In general, the procedure starts with filters, undercoats, and reinforcing strips which are attached to the middle coats and a very polished top coat. The top layer is decorated using maki-e, gold decorations. The urushi sap is gray or white, and when exposed to air, it turns the golden decoration to yellow-brownish and black. To remove impurities, a hempen cloth is unstrained and stirred in the wooden tub to ensure it has a uniform liquidity. After which, it is heated on slow fire or in the sun and stirred to remove excess water. Naturally, urushi is a translucent brown and offers subtle russet to bright colors. Nonetheless, the process, of applying urushi is time-consuming, and challenging since erasing any mistake is impossible. For example, high-quality objects require more than 30 layers of urushi and each should be given time to dry in a dust-free, warm, and humid area for about two days. Applying it quickly of unevenly can greatly mess the object. Every layer is polished manually so as to create not just tiny but imperceptible variations in color, as well as shade, whilst ensuring the object has life and depth. As much as lacquer is an intensive process, it is extremely vulnerable to different forms of damage, as well as degradation. Changing temperature and high humidity can contribute to structural damage, like cracks, loose joints, in turn, the loosening can further cause lifting of the lacquer coatings. For that reason, lacquered objects should not be exposed to high humidity or high-temperature areas like next to cooling vents, external walls, or doorways. Additionally, structural harm can result from careless handling. The surface area can be a result of different factors. For instance, too much light increases lacquered objects’ degradation which makes them lose durability. Again, exposure to the direct and strong sun does not only discolor the objects but also makes the sheen very dull. To prevent damage associated with the direct and scorhing heat from the sun, lacquered objects must not be displayed in places with intense light. The alternative, ultraviolet filters, can be applied on windows to minimize the damage. There are also damages related to fingerprints and scratches. Gloves must be worn when handling lacquered objects and stored in dust-free places since dust is considerably harsh. The dust may also be removed using a hake brush, or damp soft cloth, but commercial like dust should be used as they can permanently damage the object. It is of great importance to put into account that in the eighteenth century, a number of objects were lacquered using shellac from the west to evoke Japanese lacquer. Therefore, users should be aware since not all lacquers are original.

How Lacquer Furniture was Introduced in Europe

Lacquer furniture was introduced in Europe in the sixteenth century. This is the period when Portuguese merchants entered in Japan in search of exotic products to sell in Europe. Lacquered furniture was their priority due to its decorative beauty, as well as its prosaic quality, the only water resistant agent during that period.

The Popularity of Lacquer Furniture in America in the 20th Century

In the 20th century, lacquer furniture was very popular in the United States due to the presence of urushi. However, in the US, varnish was widely used to decorate Art Nouveau (1880-1910) which was regarded as the most luxurious design. American lacquer furniture was associated with carved wood detail and glossy finishes. Nonetheless, lacquer furniture was only common among the elite because it was regarded as art pieces. Another thing that popularized lacquer furniture in the US was the décor art, in 1925. The furniture was symmetrical and rectangular in shape. Art decor concentrated on geometric forms, chevrons, and motifs arranged in a symmetrical manner. The common material to make the furniture was lacquer and inlays, and it was found in housewares, such as cookware, ceramics, clocks, radios, and telephones.

The popularity of lacquer furniture in the US, especially in 1933-1965, was a result of the focus on natural objects. During this era, the lacquer furniture had low horizontal lines to attain open, as well as airy, design. The overstated chairs were replaced by flaunting simple furniture with natural wood. The angles were minimalistic, as well as sleek, whilst structural parts were exposed. In the 1960s, lacquer was widely used across the US to further the popularity of lacquer furniture. This was commonly called the minimalist movement where artists wanted to make furniture an art of not self-expression rather an objective connected to aesthetic goals.

The Aesthetic Feature of Japanese Lacquer that Attracted Collectors/Buyers

Color

Lacquer furniture produced by the Japanese was called “nambanstyle”. It was integrated with mother-of-pearl inlays in black and gold surfaces. This approach offered the nambanstyle a unique appearance. Features of nambanstyle covered the entire object. Silver was also used to enhance the appearance of motifs, particularly cabinets. It also depicted a reproduction of mother-of-pearl inlays. As such, the use of silver on the black surface was to emulate the appearance of mother-of-pearl. Again, the density of ornamentations on the decorated surfaces of cabinets confirmed with nambanstyle. Designers combined different sources, such as cultures and industrial processes, to make entirely new designs. As much as the surface of objects was complex, the color was more subtle to unite it when viewed from far. Initially, the lacquerware was colored red or black, while cinnabar or charcoal was added to make the sap more refined. Japanese lacquer furniture widely used maki-e that involves using silver or gold power to give the final produce a glossy sheen and at the time attract buyers. This is because yellow or gold powder was spread on the object making it extremely luxurious. Yellow or golden power symbolized nobility and was used in Buddhist worship. The items attracted traders, as well as missionaries, arriving in Japan in the Momoyana era.



Designs

Unique designs attracted collectors or customers to Japanese furniture. For instance, the objects were made of different designs, including carved lacquer, a design that entails carving thin coats of the lacquer into a three-dimension design. The objects were also made of engraved gold, a method where lacquer adhesive is applied on the fine lines carved on the surface. Then a powdered gold of foil was pressed into the grooves. Filled in design was also used to make a Japanese object, in this respect lacquer was inlaid with another. Nonetheless, the design involved carving hardened lacquer and other colors in layered polish. With polish-reveal, a number of filled in lacquer decoration was used. A thick coat was repeatedly applied in a particular section of the object to make a design. Conversely, the object was filled with a lacquer of various colors and then polished to demonstrate different colors. Furthermore, there was the design of nashiji, a method used for creating a reddish surface. In this case, specific metal flakes are sprinkled on the parts of the drying lacquer object. The maki-e design was also used to make Japanese objects. This design used gold or yellow powder and was inspired by Japanese motifs. Moreover, the design is associated with curved legs and glizt-bronze decorations, possibly improper to the current minimalist preferences, however, suitable in art museums and palaces. Maki-e design was introduced in the period when the Portuguese arrived in Japan to respond to the preferences of samurai customers. Additionally, this design is associated with bold patterns and contrast between black colors, as well as gold. Generally, these designs were characterized by the black lacquer ware, inlay, and fruit-laden tree branches among others. This was to make them refined and consequently to connect the beautiful and widely used motifs from nature, particularly as surface decoration. Embroidered with natural forms, fine colorations flattened to form patterns were incorporated resulting in the utilization of different materials, such as cloisonné, inlay, and marquetry.

Demand

Owing to the fact that Japanese lacquerware used urushi to produce sensual depth and mystical glow, it increased its demand those days. Nonetheless, present day lacquer ware are of poor quality in comparison. As a matter of fact, old Jappened lacquerware was significantly on a high demand by the natives. The glow and visual depth of the surface of lacquer furniture exert an attraction that has attracted contemporary designs while increasing demand for Japanese lacquer furniture. Another factor that increases the demand for Japanese lacquer furniture is that urushi can be applied on the surface and the excess is removed using absorbent paper. Once the first layer dries, the procedure is repeated for about fifteen times, and the result is a glossy sheen. In particular, lacquerware bridges the gap between conventional artworks and present day industrial production approaches. While nothing can be unique about the conventional craft and digital accurate techniques, both aim at perfection. The integration of technology and manual skills produces a perfect artwork. Lacquer furniture is mainly concerned about sustainability that is directed to influence customer behaviors. The Japanese lacquer ware demonstrates unvoiced complaint against the manner in which clients are more and more interested in the material. Therefore, lacquer furniture is continuously long lasting. Another thing that enhanced the demand for Jappened objects is their waterproof ability, resistance to heat, and not affected by climatic effects like temperature, light or humidity. Besides, they are long lasting to meet a given function. A number of buyers of collectors prefer that an object meets the required standards.

Part 2

How American Lacquered Objects Went along with other Decorative Objects in Interior Settings

American lacquered objects went along with other decorative objective in various ways. For instance, decorative objects in the interior spaces generally represent relaxed, attractive, and cozy spaces. Therefore, to integrate it with other decorative objects, traditional motifs and materials can be used. This makes the interior spaces inviting and comfy. In most cases, they are made of wooden floors and brick fireplaces. Spaces are brightened using functional, decorative objects, like ceramics, carved wood. Other decorative elements, like oversized leather furniture or floral fabrics, help bring out the American lacquered objects. In addition, art décor was integrated with the American lacquered so as to connect them with other decorative objectives. In this case, art décor style emphasizes the use of contemporary styles from the early 20th century. The décor included smooth walls, wood floors, porhhol windows, and glass window. Such décor could bring out the beauty of the interior spaces. Also, decorative objects, such as furniture with inlaid geometric styles, could enhance the beauty of the spaces. To connect American lacquered objects with other decorative objects in the interior spaces, Victorian designs were used. This design is associated with orderliness, as well as embellishments, surfaces filled with a different decoration to depict the owner’s taste. In particular, antique vases are widely used. The dining room and the entertainment spaces are filled with carved furniture that are considerably small in size. Additionally, the furniture legs are made using carved wood while sideboards use a wide range of designs mostly adorned with inlays, as well as veneers. The design is also colorful and feminine, hence, it is decorated with floral materials, velvet, lace, and embroidered textile to give the interior settings luxury. Art and craft designs were also used to ensure American lacquered objects go along with other decorative objects in the interior spaces. Nonetheless, to ascertain that the objects match, other decorative objectives in the interior environments, such as furniture, ceramics, and textile, have to be handcrafted. These decorative objects were not only decorative but also functional instead of excessively decorative. To balance color schemes of lacquered objects and decorative objects, the natural colors like warm orange, green, and brown were used. Furniture was also built in the rooms as an architectural aspect. Asian inspired decorations of Chinese and Japanese origin play an important role in terms of enhancing aesthetic features of an object. Therefore, to integrate American lacquered object with other decorations in the room, Asian style was used. In this perspective, the Asian-inspired style created a balance between exterior and interior world. This design focused on simplicity; hence, it eliminated a cluster, ornaments, and furnishings. As a result, the Asian-inspired design improved the harmony of the interior spaces. On the other hand, the design presented a balance between natural objects whereas promoting the flow of light. However, for the integration to be effective and attractive, it was of great importance to use natural lighting, natural fabrics, and material. Luxurious home interior decoration integrated rich color palette, dark green, and red to increase the gold accent aesthetics in the interior spaces. As such, this approach was utilized when it comes to incorporating American lacquered objects with other decorations in the interior settings. Again, luxurious home décor was very detailed and had carved wood paired with floral fabrics for furniture, walls, and windows. As such, the detailed features of these methods enhanced the integration of lacquered object with other decorations. Another style that was used to integrate American lacquered object with other interior decorations was contemporary style. This is because it was associated with clean lines, large open spaces and bold colors. Nevertheless, like present day styles, it lacked embellishments, and decorative accents were chosen cautiously. Therefore, this design can be used to link lacquered objects with the decorative accents in the interior spaces. Consequently, based on the fact that contemporary design can be attained with any given artwork, and walls are white, black, or neutral with high ceiling, a lacquered object was used to add beauty and color coordination in the interior space. An eclectic design involves mixing different objects. Therefore, these designs were important in ensuring that American lacquered objects go along with other decorations in the interior spaces. Specifically, through eclectic approach, the lacquered object could differentiate various ornamentation in the interior spaces, hence, blend with other several collections using color, texture, and grouping to attain the cohesiveness of interior settings. However, this design is not only simple, but also called for thorough attention in display in order to not overlook style. Furthermore, the industrial style was used to combine American lacquered object with other interior decorations. This style is commonly known for large open spaces, ceiling-to-floor windows, hence, a lacquered object could integrate to enhance harmony and color. In turn, the harmony and color can greatly help to allow natural lighting and also divide the interior spaces.

Role of Japanese Objects in FDR’s Music Room

Characteristically, Japanese objects use wood and paper dividers as the main production material for interior settings. These dividers provide the convenience of flexibility when it comes to arranging interior spaces. For example, the FDR’s music room was primarily used for receiving formal guests and was not used regularly by family members. As much as Japanese furniture was not FDF’s major collection, in his music room there is a Japanese object that acts as gaming table or a side table. Moreover, the object is positioned between two chairs (Figure 1).

















In particular, this object in the music room serves various purposes, including displaying of a piece of art such as a vase, integratig the two chairs in the room with the natural interior spaces. Again, the object in the music room has a natural finish which gives it a striking look while ensuring natural warmth in the music room. The natural translucent brown/beige provides a subtle russet tint to brighten other pieces in the music room. Besides, the table is simple the means that reduces all clusters of space in the music room and at the same time pairs the décor. Again, the table is a low profile that immediately evokes Japanese design with a neutral color that creates a calm interior setting. In turn, the pattern and positioning of the table provide a balance between the colors of the chair; beige/brown color offers an airy and clean interior space of the music room. Since the side table is lacquered, it is durable and increases the beauty of FRD’s music room for many years. In fact, the table has been around for many years and its natural color is still original, hence, presents appropriate depth, quality, and color of the room. For that reason, the table offers magnificent and intense colors to the music room. The Japanese object in the music room is very important. In particular, it epitomizes minimalistic view that is related to simple decorations, as well as clean lines. It also represents not just the object style but the architectural form of the music room with a highlight on floral pattern. Again, the object presents the natural aspect to the room while the brown or cream colors accentuate primary colors to increase contrast. Besides, the object functions as an ageless piece that provides comforting elegance to the music room. Since its color is brown or cream, it triggers comfortable room with minimalist ambience. These colors also enhance the dull colors of the two chairs.

Part 3

Lacquer Personal Table

The personal table is a Japanese table created in the early 19th century. The table is decorated with black mother of pearl to connect Japanese traders with Japanese tradition. The object measures 30.5 cm long and a width of 21 cm.



Figure 2. Lacquer personal table

Moreover, the artist used mother of pearl to offer it a unique color. It also has inlaid trees to make the surface of the table subtle and unifies all the decorations. It is clear that the artist was inspired by the environment, that is why trees were used in decorating the table. Again, it is apparent that the artist had the issue of harmony in mind and when integrated with other decorations, it could present contrasting colors that, in turn, provide airy, as well as clean spaces. When it comes to social status, the artist was an upper class. This is due to the fact that mother of pearl was an exotic decoration and the color black was the recognition of Japanese preference for open spaces rather than covering the entire table with pearls.

Japanese Lacquer Suzuribako

The Japanese Lacquer Suzuribako is an object made for people who like Izumo. The object has a length of 120 cms, the width of 66 cm and a depth of 45 cm.



Figure 3. Japanese Lacquer Suzuribako







In this respect, the artist was attempting to connect the gizmo lovers with the artistic objective. Based on this object, it is evident that the artist has a taste for human figures. This is because the artist portrayed human figures on the boxes and also had poetic interiors. Additionally, the artists had a preference for gold. This is attributed to the fact that the object has bush clover (hagi) and wild chrysanthemums and flowing stream where one can see a reflection of the moon. The moon symbolizes a circular silver, and there are also rich ornamentations in different colors of mother of pearl. Based on the functionality of this object, the artist could be from a middle social class.

A Japanese Black Lacquer Box

The black lacquer box is intended for keeping cosmetics. The object is 12.7 cm long and 14.1 cm wide and has the depth of 6.1 cm.













Figure 4. Black lacquer box

With regards to the black lacquer box, the artist might have been from a high social class, since the object was a depiction of status in the society. In addition, the object was highly decorated using magnificent colors, such as red and silver. It also engraved with kanji character and gold shirataki. The internal part has gold Hira Mackie while the inscription represents the regions within Musashno province, the current Saitama, and Tokyo, which demonstrates the artist preferences. The object has lacquer may be adorned by combining materials, such as mother of pearl, metal, and eggshell.

Japanese Cabinet

The taste of the artist could be evoked by late 17th and 18th century Japanese decorations to portray a detailed understanding of European views towards the Far East. In addition, the artists wanted to practically illustrate people of Far East East and Europe. As much as the Japanned cabinet was complex, sometimes it had hilarious effects commonly called chinoiserie. With respect to social classes, the artist might have been a member of upper social class since the object targeted such people.





















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