Pair of Antique Face Screens in papier mâché. C. 1860.

 Main page and full description 

| thumbnail index  | slide show   

Description:
Ref:  108fs    http://hygra.com/face/108fs and  http://hygra.com/114fs 

Pair of Antique Face Screens in papier mâché. C.1860.  

These screens are painted with Gothic scenes, reflecting the mood of the mid 19^th century, when a new sense of patriotism swept away the neoclassical style and introduced the neo-gothic.

Each screen is painted with the interior of a Gothic abbey or church. There are very grand-royal?- tombs with effigies of the departed on the sides. Gothic arches lead to a dark interior. On one screen a woman sits near a font, on the other a man sits on a tomb holding his basket. There is definition on both the tiny faces, although one needs a magnifying glass to see the rather gloomy (especially the man’s) expressions.

The pictures  by George Cattermole (1800-1868) were originally woodcuts used to illustrate "The Old Curiosity Shop" by Charles Dickens which was published in 1841.  They were first published in the weekly periodical "Master Humphrey's Clock" which ran from April 1840 till December 1841.  

The scene depicting a male figure, entitled "The Grave of Little Nell", was made to illustrate Chapter 72. It was originally titled "The Old Man, watching over Nell's Grave".  The scene depicting a female figure, entitled "Resting among the Tombs" illustrated Chapter 53 was originally titled "Nell, reading in the Old Chapel".

Cattermole's water colour painting   depicting "The Grave of Little Nell", is in the V&A Museum in London.

By painting over a gold ground, the artist suggests light and darkness in a most skilful way. Sometimes gold leaf, sometimes metallic powders were used to this effect. There is no escaping the sombre mood of the scene.

The neo-gothic style was a specialty of the Wolverhampton makers.

The handles are in turned wood with remnants of gilding.

Origin: UK ;  Circa:1860  ; Materials: papier mâché and wood 

Size:  Screen 23.5 cm wide by 20 cm; handle 20.2 cm long: 8.25 inches wide by 8 inches; handle 8 inches.

Condition:  Please refer to the above photographs for details of condition.

Thanks is given to Yvonne Jones, Author of, Japanned Papier Mâché and Tinware who identified the pictures. 

Keywords: Hygra.com, Antique box, Antique Face Screen, fan, fire screen papier mâché, painting on gold, Gothic, Victorian, tombs, vaults, wake, church, abbey,  George Cattermole,  Wolverhampton, The Grave of Little Nell, Resting among the Tombs, Charles Dickens,  "The Old Curiosity Shop"

Request current  list of available sewing boxes with prices.
Request current  list of available writing boxes with prices.
Request current  list of available jewelry boxes with prices.
Request current  list of available tea caddies with prices.
Request current  list of available Face Screens with prices.

boxes@hygra.com

| hygra.com  | Buying boxes|  Contact us | email  |The Schiffer Book | Advanced Search

All text and images and linked images are © 1999-2015 Antigone Clarke and Joseph O'Kelly. If you require any further information on permitted use, or a licence to republish any material, email us at copyright@hygra.com