CIRCA 1770

Decorated with a gilt-speckled ground in imitation of the finest 17th Century Japanese nashiji lacquer, this barometer reflects the taste for the Orient expounded by the marchands-merciers. Although little is known about many of the craftsmen responsible, the best documented are the celebrated Martin brothers, who in 1730 were granted a Royal patent to protect their lacquer technique, which was subsequently reinforced in 1744 with another for lacquerwork 'en relief dans le gout du Japon et de la Chine'. Eventually perfecting a technique incorporating copal which came to be known as vernis Martin, they worked extensively for the Royal court, providing green and gold decoration for Queen Maria Leszczynska for the Petite Galerie at Versailles between 1748 and 1755, as well as a series of lacquered rooms for the Dauphin and Dauphine (later Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette) at Versailles.