vernis martin

or vernis Martin

[ ver-nee mahr-tan; French ver-nee mar-tan ]

noun

1. a finish for furniture, invented in France in the 18th century in imitation of Chinese lacquer.

Word History and Origins

Origin of vernis martin¹

1875–80; < French: literally, Martin varnish, named after the brothers Martin, 18th-century French craftsmen

Example Sentences

It was made up by veneering, and was decorated with medallions, some of marquetry, some of Wedgwood ware, after the model of the French inlaying of Sèvres porcelain plaques, and in some instances painted with miniature scenes like the Vernis Martin, called after a French decorator of the name of Martin.

From Project Gutenberg

For inexhaustible resource in tinting, polishing, and decorating wood surfaces, we shall have to learn from the Japanese, from whom probably the famous Vernis Martin was first borrowed in the last century.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides fans mounted with parchment, Dutch fans of ivory were imported into Paris, and decorated by the heraldic painters in the process called “Vernis Martin,” after a famous carriage painter and inventor of colourless lac varnish.

From Project Gutenberg

When he is going away, he lingers a moment intently looking at a patch-box of vernis Martin, and says, with studied carelessness, "Dolly, tell me, when did you make the acquaintance of Madame Sabaroff?"

From Project Gutenberg

Some of the most beautiful are made of French lacquer and ornamented in the Vernis Martin style.

From Project Gutenberg