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Description:
Ref:   163fs    http://hygra.com/face/163fs

Pair of Antique Face Screens in wood decorated in penwork. C. 1820.

 The cultural confusion displayed in the decoration of these screens is part of their charm. They are a symbol of the social and cultural history of the time, a frozen moment of a person’s interpretation of “ Cathay ”.

The decoration is in the Chinoiserie tradition. Leaves dwarf people, a palm tree is short and weak and the fences are arbitrary. There are the rocks characteristic of Chinese gardens and a large exotic bird whose tail reaches out to the Girl’s skirt.

On one screen the figures are of two European young women strolling in the exotic garden. There are baskets for collecting-fruit? 

On the other the women, who could be the same two, are in oriental dress. One of them holds up an oriental looking umbrella.

Both pictures are framed with drawings of flowers, oak leaves and acorns. These are not particularly oriental, but rather abstractions of flora and look more domestic.

The coat of arms is drawn very skilfully and shows a professional degree of expertise. The sharp definition and fine lines attest to a firm and experienced hand. The surround is drawn with flowers and leaves arranged in a symmetrical way. There is more than a hint of neoclassicism in the arrangement, but it is interspersed with flowers with unruly petals which hint at naturalism. Even the acanthus leaves are a little too lively. The artwork on this side is more formal and sharp, although it does not match the charm of the other side.        

The elegant handles are carved in ebony with ornamental turning and other turning in ivory in an ambitious time-consuming design.

Origin: UK ;  Circa: 1820 ; Materials: wood and ivory


Size:  Screen 21.5 cm wide by 17 cm; handle 23.2 cm long: 8.5 inches wide by 6.6 inches; handle 9.2  inches.

Condition:  Please refer to the above photographs for details of condition. Varnish peeling and broken and glued in the past. Tip of one handle missing.

Keywords: Hygra.com, Antique box, Antique Face Screen, fan, fire screen, Flemming, Let the Deed Shaw, Motto, family crest, Chinoiserie, Cathay, penwork, 

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