Tole peinte
Interesting how often for a new or nouvelle idea or process a french word is used.
Tole is sheet metal and the peinte is layers and layers of pain to make a lacquered surface and then flowers or animals etc painted,often Chinoiserie patterns were added too giving a more three dimensional effect.
In the mid to late 19th century Japan opened its doors to foreigners after many years of having closed borders, so all things oriental and Japanesque came into high fashion.
South Wales, Pontypool which gave its name to much tole ware, Swansea and Llanlleli were the major producers of these wares, the steel coming from the local steel mills and the artists from the valleys, more often or not girls and ladies.
Lacquered items had been produced since the early 18th century again tending to be oriental in flavour, but as with the Victorian love of black and all things new and trendy tolel ware really came into its own in the late 19th century when if it could be made from tole it was everything from candlesticks to trays too coal boxes.
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