Doe and Hope

Description

Beautifully proportioned, the decorative nineteenth century three-panel changing or room dividing screen in the Regency period style having a sectional mirrored top showing the original foxed plate to two panels, the central panel terminating in ribbon cresting, the three fabric panels in the typical Regency era drawing room blue with floral swags having central cabochons depicting doves, the panels bordered by gilded ribbon twist edgings.

The screens overall condition is tired but attractive and it has been retrieved from a large country house. It has much originality with the mirror plate is all original to two panels with some natural foxing to the surfaces, (the central circular panel of glass is a later replacement) whilst the gilding has wear and chipping commensurate with a vperiod piece that has not been re-gilded at any stage. The fabric is also original and shows some water staining to some corners and the reverse is also stained. There is one glazing bar missing to the central panel but no other losses. The fabric to the whole could of course be professionally cleaned if so desired. The hinges are later twentieth century replacements.

Screens date back to China during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty period (771-256 BCE). A folding screen was often decorated with beautiful art, major themes included mythology, scenes of palace life, and nature. A screen is often associated with intrigue and romance in Chinese literature. Folding screens were then introduced in the Late Middle Ages to Europe and in the 17th and 18th century, many folding screens were being imported from China to Europe. The French especially had a certain admiration and desire for the Chinese folding screens along with the rest of Europe and they began importing large lacquered folding screens adorned with art. The famous fashion designer Coco Chanel was an avid collector of Chinese folding screens and is believed to have owned 32 folding screens in Paris.

In decorative condition this screens elegant quality is still evident, only enhanced with age.