A LOUIS XV GOLD-MOUNTED AND LACQUER TRAVELLING INK-WELL

Japanese lacquer became extremely fashionable at the French Court as early as in the 1730s when large panels were used to decorate items of furniture. These larger panels were cut into smaller sections to fit the dimensions required for use with snuff-boxes and other similar objects. Parisian craftsmen copied the Japanese technique for use on works of art made locally and these artists must have had access to Japanese originals in the collections of the very few extremely wealthy Parisians able to afford such rare and exotic items.