Pontypool
The name Pontypool refers to the town in Wales where japanning, a baked finish that imitates Oriental lacquering, originated. Besides being adopted as the name of the painting style, if refers to a particular style of pierced edge rectangular tray, with a double stripe of freehand bronze. Pontypool painting features sprays of flowers or fruit, vases, birds, etc., and shows great depth by virtue of the contrast between deep shadows, strong highlights, and white accents. Designs may have a tortoise shell background. Impasto, or thickly applied paint, is used to give dimension, along with very fine veining and striping.
