[Ads-l] ? Meaning of "Japan" below?

[Joel Berson]

>From the same source, 1754 The Connoisseur 3 Dec. (vol. 1, no. 45) 266:

""And besides the public notices to persons of taste, of very rare old Japan, and most curious and inimitable Epargnes for deserts, as also the most rich and elegant fancied silks to be sold by auction; many other advices, not less interesting to the Town, are here [referring to another weekly] given.

I have no idea what "Japan" means here.  Possible, I imagine, are:  


3.a.  Japanese work; work in the Japanese style; esp. work varnished, and adorned with painted or raised figures; dating from 17.. and 1742.

4.a.  Japanese porcelain; no quotations.

4.†b.  Japanese silk; dating from 1727.

With no further context, it seems impossible to choose -- unless the reference to "very rare old" means something to someone.

Joel











------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org