In A William and Mary Simulated Tortoiseshell Chest of Drawers, I mentioned how faux tortoiseshell-painted furniture was popular as a background for japanned decoration (either newly-painted or using previously tortoiseshell-painted canvasses).
I recently came across this chest-on-stand which typifies late seventeenth-century and early eighteenth-century japanning over a naïve tortoiseshell-painted ground.
Painted and japanned chest-on-stand, circa 1700. (Decorator Source)
Daubed ‘tortoiseshell’ background. (Decorator Source)
Jack Plane
Pegs and 'Tails 
Just wanted to take a minute and thank you for your work. I enjoy your writings.
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Thank you, it’s my pleasure.
JP
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That is an odd wear pattern on the upper right drawer. I wonder what caused it.
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What ever the cause, it likely prompted the decoration.
JP
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Possibly a well done paint in over the wear?
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That’s my thinking.
JP
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Are the legs and base consistent with this piece or would they be Queen Ann?
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The base is correct, but the legs are later replacements. It would have originally had turned legs, of one sort, and a wavy stretcher.
JP
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I rather like the elephants!
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Very modern looking elephants.
JP
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Elephants prefer bun-feet!
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