Ironware was japanned black, for decorative reasons. Wolverhampton and Bilston were important centres for the manufacture of japanned ware. The Gallery has substantial collection of japanned ware and Bilston enamels. Thus japanning and "japanned" are terms describing the process and its products. His stock on a japanned tea-tray slung round his neck was promptly commandeered. Japanned objects are made with a variety of shellac and natural resins. These japanned metal objects are very stable so a great many still survive. All the cast-iron parts were black japanned, with gold striping or decoration. By the 1920s, the West Midlands' decorative japanned ware industry had largely died out. When used, japanned decoration was frequently in red, green, or gilt on a blue-green field.