Jacobean Style: A loose term used to cover furniture style in England and
the colonies throughout the main part of the seventeenth century. Most
pieces of English furniture were made from oak and were square and heavy in
construction. The designs were utilitarian and any decoration was usually
in the form of shallow carving.
Japanning: The imitation of a black oriental lacquer, made
from tree sap. It was a technique used in America and Europe to recreate
Japanese style furniture. Shellac replaced the traditional lacquer. Often furniture
was decorated further with oriental images in gold leaf or bronze.
