Princeton Preservation Group

Princeton Preservation Group meeting
Rutgers Scholarly Communications Center Lecture Hall
Alexander Library, 4th floor,
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Wednesday, November 12, 2003

Technical Analysis of 18th Century American Japanning
By Dr. Johanna R. Bernstein, Rutgers University

This presentation will discuss the decorative surface layers on nine
different 18th century American japanned high chests in various
museums. "Japanning" on furniture is a decorative technique derived
from the Japanese panels imported into Europe through the Portuguese
and Dutch trade beginning early in the 17th century, and later by
the British East India Company. In this study, several different
analytical techniques were used including cross-sectional analysis,
UV microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry. The results
of the study were compared to existing period handbooks from the
17th and 18th centuries, indicating the level of sophistication and
the availability of materials to American japanners.

The networking time will begin at 5:00 pm.  By 5:30 pm we will move
into the lecture hall to have a business meeting.  The presentation
by Johanna Bernstein will begin at 6:00 pm.

If you need any additional information, please contact:

    Tim Corlis, Rutgers University
    732-445-3613
    tcorlis [at] rci__rutgers__edu


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 17:40
                 Distributed: Friday, October 31, 2003
                       Message Id: cdl-17-40-005
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