A Red Japanned Faux Bamboo Occasional Table

A mid-20th century red japanned occasional table, the square top with gilded centre and four Japanese lacquer panels, each depicting a landscape, set four shaped legs with bamboo turnings and joined by a central X-form stretcher.

Since the seventeenth century, Oriental lacquer panels have been shipped to Britain and France, where they were applied to furniture as surface embellishments by the most skilled cabinet makers. This table, although made in the 20th century follows this tradition and the turned faux bamboo frame lends itself well to such adornment.