French Napoleon III Tray

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Large French toilet or bath tray ("toilet ware"); it is made of sheet iron, painted with a special black dye and then decorated, in a highly artistic manner, with flowers, leaves, and arabesques using gold paint; it was made in imitation of imported Chinese lacquerware that was popular in 18th century Great Britain. The painting process was developed in the 18th century by Thomas Allgood in Pontypool, Wales, an important coal-mining town. The paint was created from asphalt, a by-product of coal, mixed with shellac, and the mixture was applied to domestic objects made of sheet iron; several layers were distributed, each of which was brought to a high temperature so that the finished objects were extremely durable and never rusted. This process was known as Japanning because it resembled the lacquer on Chinese trays, soon spread throughout Europe, especially in France, where the decorations were more elaborate and precious. Our tray was created in an artisan workshop on the outskirts of Paris (France) between 1850 and 1855 during the reign of Napoleon III. The tray is in good condition. Measures length cm.74, width cm.50, height cm.4.