japanning

v. varnish with japan lacquer; coat with any black lacquer

Japanning is a word originating from the 17th century, used to describe the European imitation of Asian lacquerwork, originally used on furniture.
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Noun
1. lacquerware decorated and varnished in the Japanese manner with a glossy durable black lacquer
(hypernym) lacquerware
2. lacquer with a durable glossy black finish, originally from the orient
(hypernym) lacquer
Verb
1. coat with a lacquer, as done in Japan
(hypernym) lacquer
(classification) handicraft

(p. pr. & vb. n.)
of Japan
  

(n.)
The art or act of varnishing in the Japanese manner.
  

The western practice of imitating Oriental lacquerwork. A wood base is covered with paint, and designs are built up with gesso and guilded or silvered.