CHAPTER 15: JAPANNED METAL

Figure 15.2: Japanned metal chest, probably Pontypool, c. 1750. Tinplate with rolled edges (no wooden carcass); ground japanned in imitation of tortoiseshell; decorated predominantly in gold with Chinese-style designs; silver handle and hinges (not hallmarked); interior lined throughout with red velvet trimmed with silver braid; three compartments with pair of silver tea canisters by Samuel Taylor of London (hallmarked for 1751) and matching sugar canister by John Newton of London (hallmarked for 1743); four small compartments at rear for teaspoons, with diminutive central circular compartment, probably for phial of sweetening essence. Height 12.1 cm (4 ¾ in); width 24.1 cm (9 ½ in); depth 13.3 cm (5 ¼ in). Private collection

Figure 15.3: Japanned metal caddy, c. 1830. Ground japanned red; orange banding; framed motif of stylised flower on front; no wooden carcass; pressed brass knob on lid; tinplate hinge; two interior compartments without lids. Roderick Butler, Honiton  

Figure 15.4: Painted metal chest decorated by Marmaduke Cradock, c. 1700. Overall decoration of birds, including peacocks, turkeys, doves, chickens and ducks, all in rural settings; signed ‘Cradock’ on rear; moulded metal borders with speckled, copper-coloured ground painted in imitation of Japanese nashiji lacquer; unusual exterior-mounted shaped hinges; interior painted red throughout with three compartments for canisters (now missing). Height 15.2 cm (6 in); width 23.5 cm (9 ¼ in); depth 13.3 cm (5¼ in). © Victoria and Albert Museum, London 

Figure 15.7: Japanned metal chest, Midlands or Monmouthshire, c. 1760. Tinplate supported on softwood carcass; black japanned ground; decorated with coat-of-arms on front and back within floral and gilt scroll borders; gilt-metal handle and ball-and-claw feet; interior lined with velvet; three compartments for canisters (now missing). Height 20.5 cm (8in); Width 25.5 cm (10 in). (Formerly in the Nolte collection) Woolley & Wallis Salisbury Salerooms Ltd, Salisbury  

Figure 15.8: Japanned metal chest, Midlands or Monmouthshire, c. 1760. Tinplate supported on mahogany carcass; ground japanned in imitation of tortoiseshell (now appears black, except on rear); gilt decoration in gold, with Chinese figures in exotic landscapes; brass handle and ball-and-claw feet; underside of lid lined with velvet; rest of interior painted vermillion, including hinges; three interior compartments containing pair of tinplate tea canisters with cap lids and central sugar canister with hinged domed lid, all japanned in dark red with similar decoration to chest. Height 15.9 cm (6 ¼ in); width 22.9 cm (9 in); depth 13.3 cm (5 ¼ in). Norman Adams, London  

Figure 15.9: Japanned metal chest, Midlands or Monmouthshire, c. 1760. Tinplate supported on pine carcass; black japanned ground decorated with naturalistic flowers, including roses, honeysuckle and bluebells; scalloped lower edge; gilt-metal handle; underside of lid lined with original red velvet; three interior compartments, containing pair of tinplate tea canisters and sugar canister, all japanned black (with a hint of tortoiseshell) and decorated with flowers to match exterior. Private collection   

Figure 15.10: Japanned metal chest, Midlands or Monmouthshire, c. 1760. Tinplate supported on pine carcass with mahogany veneer on visible edges; black japanned ground decorated with naturalistic flowers, including roses, auriculas and passion flowers, surrounded by fine gilt scrolling on front, rear and sides; painted portraits of George III and Queen Charlotte within gilt scrolling on lid, both taken from mezzotints by James Macardell after paintings by Jeremiah Meyer; pierced lower edge; bracket feet; large gilt-brass drop-loop handle; brass stop hinges; base japanned black; underside of lid lined with red velvet trimmed with gilt braid; three interior compartments with pair of tinplate tea canisters with cap lids and central sugar canister with hinged domed lid, all japanned black and decorated with flowers to match exterior. Height 14.9 cm (5 7/8 in); width 22.9 cm (9 in); depth 12.7 cm (5 in). Private collection   

Figure 15.11: Japanned metal chest, Midlands or Monmouthshire, c. 1760. Tinplate supported on mahogany carcass; black japanned ground; painted decoration of Britannia and ships on front; Italianate landscape with sea on rear; similar classical scene on right side; rose and thistle on left side; lid with floral decoration around a central female portrait head; gilt trellis border around lid and base; scalloped lower edge; gilt-brass handle; brass hinges; base japanned black; interior lined with red silk (later); three compartments (canisters missing). Height 15.2 cm (6 in); width 24.8 cm (9 ¾ in); depth 14.3 cm (5 5/8 in). Stair & Company, London 

Figure 15.12: Japanned metal caddy, probably Midlands, c. 1800. Black japanned ground on tinplate; finely painted gilt floral and foliate banded decoration; no wooden carcass; (replacement) brass knob on lid; single tinplate hinge; interior with single unlined compartment without lid. Height 11.4 cm (4 ½ in); width 15.2 cm (6 in); depth 8.3 cm (3 ¼ in). Queen’s Parade Antiques, Stow-On-The-Wold 

Figure 15.13: Japanned metal sarcophagus caddy, possibly Usk, c. 1820. Brown japanned ground on tinplate gilt decoration of Chinese-style designs; gilt-brass lion’s paw feet; gilt-brass knob on lid; single hinge formed of extensions to tinplate body and lid; interior with single unlined compartment. Height 12.7 cm (5 in); width 12.7 cm (5 in); depth 8.9 cm (3 ½ in). J. de Haan, Newmarket 

Figure 15.14: Japanned metal canister, probably Usk, c. 1800. Ground japanned to simulate tortoiseshell; decoration of flowers and birds; cap lid; base japanned black. Height 10.6 cm (4 3/16 in); width 8.5 cm (3 3/8 in); depth 6.1 cm (2 3/8 in). National Museum of Wales, Cardiff    

Figure 15.15: Japanned metal caddy, Midlands or Monmouthshire, c. 1790. No wooden carcass; black ground japanned in imitation of nashiji lacquer; front and rear both decorated with gilt wheatsheaf within red octagonal border, surrounded by flowers and foliage in black; Greek key pattern around edge of lid; top with foliage in black offset by red banding and with central gilt floral circle around brass drop-loop handle; shaped tinplate hinge; interior with single unlined compartment without lid. Height 10.2 cm (4 in); width 14 cm (5 ½ in); depth 9.5 cm (3 ¾ in). (The late collection of Robert Harman Cannell) Private collection   

Figure 15.16: Japanned metal caddy, probably Midlands, c. 1805. No wooden carcass; red japanned ground with gilt banding; Nelson memorial with sailor in mourning on front; brass drop-loop handle; single tinplate hinge; two unlined interior compartments without lids. Height 11.4 cm (4 ½ in); width 7 cm (2 ¾ in); depth 10.2 cm (4 in). Mark Goodger Antiques, Northamptonshire 

Figure 15.17: Japanned metal caddy, probably Midlands, c. 1800. No wooden carcass; red japanned ground with gilt banding; decorated with neoclassical patera on front and rear, and similar version on lid; brass drop-loop handle; single tinplate hinge; interior with two unlined compartments without lids. Height 11.8 cm (4 5/8 in); width 11.4 cm (4 ½ in); depth 11.2 cm (4 3/8 in). Private collection 

Figure 15.18: Japanned metal caddy, probably Midlands, c. 1820. No wooden carcass; black japanned ground; gilt and polychrome Chinese-style decoration on front and lid; bold sprigs of flowers and leaves in gold, bronze and dark green on sides and rear; pair of tinplate hinges; base covered with green baize; interior with two unlined compartments without lids. Height 12.4 cm (4 7/8 in); width 12.1 cm (4 ¾ in); depth 9.2 cm (3 5/8 in). Private collection 

Figure 15.19: Japanned metal caddy ‘veneered’ with a second metal, probably Midlands, c. 1800. No wooden carcass; red japanned ground with gilt banding; central gilt areas on front and lid; overall incised decoration; brass drop-loop handle; single tinplate hinge; interior with two unlined compartments without lids. Height 11.1 cm (4 3/8 in); width 14 cm (5 ½ in); 8.6 cm (3 3/8 in). © Victoria and Albert Museum, London   

Figure 15.20: Japanned metal caddy ‘veneered’ with a second metal (possibly tin), probably Midlands, c. 1805. Black japanned ground; incised decoration including the inscription ‘Immortal Nelson’ on front; no wooden carcass; brass drop-loop handle; base not covered; single tinplate hinge; interior with two unlined compartments without lids. Height 10.5 cm (4 1/8 in); width 13.3 cm (5 ¼ in); depth 8.3 cm (3 ¼ in). Private collection   

Figure 15.21: Japanned metal caddy ‘veneered’ with pewter, probably Midlands, c. 1790. Black japanned ground; incised neoclassical decoration; no wooden carcass; brass drop-loop handle; pair of tinplate hinges; base not covered; single interior unlined compartment without lid. Height 10.5 cm (4 1/8 in); width 11.4 cm (4 ½ in); depth 7.9 cm (3 1/8 in). Private collection    

Figure 15.22: Japanned metal caddy, probably Midlands or possibly American, c. 1830. Cushion-top form; beige japanned ground on tinplate, painted with stylised flowers and ribbon swags; pressed brass knob; no wooden carcass; single tinplate hinge; base not covered; interior with two compartments. Height 14 cm (5 ½ in); width 10.8 cm (4 ¼ in); depth 7.6 cm (3 in). Mark Goodger Antiques, Northamptonshire 

Figure 15.24: Three miniature japanned metal caddies, probably Midlands, c. 1840, c. 1825, c. 1840. All on tinplate; no wooden carcasses. Left: Orange japanned ground; decorated with flower and foliage on front and rear; tinplate hinge; no lock; interior with single unlined compartment without lid. Height 5.1 cm (2 in); width 5.1 cm (2 in); depth 3.8 cm (1 ½ in). Centre: Black japanned ground; gilt borders; stylised pheasant on front; brass drop-loop handle; tinplate hinge; no lock; interior with single unlined compartment without lid. Height 7.6 cm (3 in); width 7 cm (2 ¾ in); depth 2.5 cm (1 in). Right: Ground japanned cream, with marbled finish; neoclassical motif on front; brass ring handle; tinplate hinge; no lock; interior with single unlined compartment without lid. Height 5.1 cm (2 in); width 5.1 cm (2 in); depth 3.8 cm (1 ½ in). W.A. Pinn & Sons, Suffolk  

Figure 15.25: ‘Crystallised tin’ caddy, Midlands, c. 1840. Yellow crystallised ground on tinplate; no wooden carcass; pressed brass knob on lid; pair of tinplate hinges; brass ball feet; interior with two unlined compartments without lid. Height 11.5 cm (4 ½ in); width 13.2 cm (5 ¼ in); depth 9.1 cm (3 ½ in). © Wolverhampton Arts and Museums Service (Bantock House Museum)  

Figure 15.27: Japanned metal caddy, Midlands, c. 1870. Ground japanned on tinplate in imitation of walnut; no wooden carcass; front and sides with painted border featuring Greek key elements; rope twist border around lid; glass panel with reverse-painted decoration on lid; base japanned black; underside of lid japanned black; interior with two compartments with hinged lids, also japanned in imitation of walnut, and with turned bone knobs. Height 10.2 cm (4 in); width 17.8 cm (7 in); depth 11.4 cm (4 ½ in). Private collection 

Figure 15.28: Large japanned metal canisters from a tea merchant’s shop, London or Midlands, c. 1880. From a set of 34 canisters, part of the shop fittings of the tea seller W. T. M. Snape of 27 Queen Street, Wolverhampton. The business had traded under various names from the early nineteenth century until 2001 when the contents were auctioned. Height 44.5 cm (17 ½ in); diameter (of base) 26.5 cm (10 ¼ in). Private collection