18th-century Martin Varnish Wig Box

A lacquered wooden wig box, known as Vernis Martin, decorated in the Chinese style. It has a serpentine, tomb-like shape and a domed top. The lock escutcheons and knobs are made of engraved brass. The interior is painted red. 18th century. This box is in good overall condition despite some wear and minor restorations. H: 13 cm - W: 31.5 cm - D: 23 cm. As a reminder: Vernis Martin, in 1728, the Martin brothers of Paris developed a copal-based imitation lacquer, Vernis Martin, intended to compete with Chinese and Japanese lacquers. This varnish, less expensive for furniture decoration than applying lacquer panels, was also used to harmonize furniture with significant curves, as lacquer panels could not withstand excessive rounding. Vernis Martin created a seamless transition between these panels, ensuring the piece of furniture was visually uniform. However, it had its own distinct identity, reproducing and interpreting works by contemporary painters, which were applied to furniture as decoration. Martin varnish was also used on period furniture in the 19th century.