Japanese leather paper
Embossed paper imitating Spanish gilt leather, made in Japan for export to Europe.
Leather paper was shown at the 1873 Vienna Exposition and became popular in Victorian homes. It shows how Japanese craft skills were adapted to Western taste. Examples are in the Victoria and Albert Museum and Cooper Hewitt.
Materials: Heavy Japanese paper, metal foil, lacquer, paint
Manufacture: The paper was pressed against carved wooden moulds, covered with foil and lacquered to look like leather.
The raised relief of flowers and birds.
The golden sheen of the lacquer – paper pretending to be leather.