Albert Jacquemart (1808-1875)

Author of various books in French on ceramics and of "A History of Furniture," translated and edited by Mrs. Bury Palliser (1878), which was for many years one of the few books of a literary character on furniture in the English language. Notwithstanding the flood of furniture literature which set in at the close of the Victorian period, it is still a work of value, and not least for its illustrations, the work of the author's distinguished son, Jules Jacquemart.

Japanning

The art of covering wood or other materials with varnish fixed by heat, in imitation of the brilliant lacquer in gold, black, or colour, of Japan, introduced into this country by the Dutch in the Restoration period. Later it became a mere coating of paint on which figures were drawn. Birmingham was the centre of the japanning trade from the middle of the eighteenth century until well into the nineteenth.

Jardiniere

A stand for flowers and plants, of wood, porcelain, or metal. It was introduced into England from France in the second half of the eighteenth century, and in both its French and English forms it reached a high degree of elegance.

Jewel Cabinet

A receptacle, often highly ornate and of varying dimensions, for the safe custody of jewellery and precious stones. It never became common in England, at all events in the more monumental form, the smaller portable jewel casket being preferred. See Casket.

Jewelling

A term employed to describe any small ornamental feature carved on furniture either in relief or below the surface to resemble a polished or cut jewel.

Thomas Johnson

A wood-carver and furniture designer contemporary with Chippendale. He published in 1758, "Designs for Picture Frames, Candelabra, Ceilings, etc.," and in 1761, "One Thousand and Fifty New Designs." His designs have little merit and some appear to be copies. He was in business in Grafton Street, Westminster.

Joiner

The artisan who joins wood together by means of bolted joints, glue, or nails to form such objects as doors, sashes, etc., the rougher kinds of woodwork in the furnishing of a building being undertaken by the carpenter. From early in the eighteenth century the joiner, acting under the direction of the architect, often made elaborate fittings worthy of comparison with the mobile furniture of the cabinetmaker.

Joint, Joined, Or Joyned

A term often used in Tudor and Jacobean times in connection with tables and stools to indicate that the parts were held together by mortice and tenon joints fixed by pegs without glue.

Inigo Jones (1573-1651)

One of England's most famous architects, sometimes styled "The English Vitruvius" or "The English Palladio" - the one a Roman architect who wrote "De Architectura" about 11 B.C., and the other a celebrated Italian architect and writer (1518-1580). After working in Italy and Denmark he received Court appointments under James I. and Charles I. and designed many fine buildings including the Whitehall Banqueting House.