ENCOUNTER in European varnish in imitation of Japanese lacquer. It opens with a large arched door, rests on two square feet and a central foot in the form of an accolade. The central panel is decorated with a scene representing three Chinese in a landscape. The edge of the door is decorated with flowers and foliage. Veined marble top. Second half of the 18th century. Height : 78 cm - Width : 59 cm Depth : 43 cm (Small accidents) Made in the Far East since antiquity, lacquerware arrived in Europe from the 16th century and especially from the 17th century. Screens and cabinets made the reputation of prestigious collections. However, the demand for lacquerware became more and more important among the wealthy segments of the population. The prices remaining high, an alternative was proposed: the varnish. The first varnishers are known since 1670, some of them are well known to us: the Langlois, and especially the Martin whose name will remain attached to this technique. Much less expensive than imported lacquers, the varnish allows to adapt the decoration to the shape and to use a symmetry that does not exist in oriental lacquers. As chinoiserie was fashionable throughout the 18th century, the varnishers adapted and their compositions were enriched with characters "à la chinoise" and to better imitate lacquers, the perspectives became sinister.