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Antique Face Screens in wood with penwork and polychrome Chinoiserie decoration. C1815.

Please click on images to enlarge |  slide show  | thumbnail index | high resolution

Description:
Ref:   160fs    http://hygra.com/face/160fs 

Pair of Antique Face Screens in wood with penwork and polychrome Chinoiserie decoration. C1815

 The screens are a pair, but each one depicts a different scene within the same genre framed by differing designs, which are of identical stylistic aesthetic. 

They are a tour de force of design orchestration and execution. 

Although in the Chinoiserie tradition of exoticism, the figures are Moorish rather than Chinese. At the time of painting these screens, the precise location of countries and the nature of their people anywhere east of Constantinople, was not understood by Europeans. The term “ Cathay ” was loosely used to describe the mythic lands of the East.

The framing of the main pictures has one feature in common, the punctuating of the corners by four butterflies. These provide the starting point for a series of swirls and lines which form precise spaces which are in turn filled with diaper patterns characteristic of traditional Chinese decoration. Outside the patterns, delicate flowers connect the framing with the main picture, softening the symmetrical surround and introducing the jolly, colourful, moving figures.

One of the screens depicts a man of importance in splendid dress, sitting on cushions, while a man of lesser rank appears to be introducing a beautiful girl. Is there a hint of harem activity?   : --  A fascinating topic for the Europeans.

On the other scene the oriental figures are dancing to music played on exotic (at the time) instruments. There are smiling faces in this scene and also movement. The spectacular clothes are enhanced with gold patterns as on the other screen. The reds and greens of the clothes are bold and the details on the clothes and hats rich.

Although the faces are sparsely drawn, they show varied expressions. The footwork and hand gestures are a delight.

Decorated by a talented person eager to engage with “ Cathay ”, the screens are painted with gusto by a skilful hand. The design is orchestrated with artistry, understanding of Chinese art forms, imagination and humour.

The backs are covered in embossed red  paper.  see: Hygra Gallery : Antique Face Screens made with paper

The elegant handles are turned and carved in a variety of designs.    Some of these could be carved but are more likely  Ornamental Turning.

Origin: UK ;  Circa: 1815 ; Materials: wood


Size:  Screen 23 cm wide by 19.30 cm; handle 21cm long: 9 inches wide by 7.6 inches; handle 8.3  inches.

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

Keywords: Hygra.com, Antique box, Antique Face Screen, fan, fire screen, polychrome Chinoiserie, polychrome,  Chinoiserie, ornamental turning, OT, Moorish, Cathay, musical instruments, dancing girls, Chinese art forms, 

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One of the screens depicts a man of importance in splendid dress, sitting on cushions, while a man of lesser rank appears to be introducing a beautiful girl. 

Is there a hint of harem activity? : -- A fascinating topic for the Europeans!

The wood is maple, sycamore, available local light colored  woods. 

 

Please click on images to enlarge |  slide show  | thumbnail index |

Enlarge Picture

The framing of the main pictures has one feature in common, the punctuating of the corners by four butterflies. 

The butterflies, which are symmetrical extractions created from floral forms provide the starting point for a series of swirls and lines which form precise spaces which are in turn filled with diaper patterns characteristic of traditional Chinese decoration. 

These patterns appear on Chinese Export lacquer being sold in London  retailers in the early 19th Cent.

Inside the patterns, delicate flowers connect the framing with the main picture, softening the symmetrical surround and introducing the jolly, colourful, moving figures. 

 

There are two musicians and two dancers. The purpose of both is to entice each other to continue their performance on the magic carpet.

The instruments are long-necked lutes. one is bowed with a short bow; the other seems to be a plucked form of the same instrument: 

a saz  (Turkish: instrument) a long necked lute in both plucked and bowed form. 

Only the plucked form of the instrument seems to have survived.

 

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Please click on images to enlarge |  slide show  | thumbnail index |

 

The Cremona  fiddle took over the world. But these variants are still played.  

The music of these dances still survives .

I hear it in my head as I write this.

 

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The patterns on the clothes are as good as those around.

If we knew these patterns we would know what form of introduction 

See:

http://www.hygra.com/material.htm#pen 

 http://hygra.com/uk/tc2/TC533-Penwork_decorated_%20tea_caddy_circa%201830D/

 http://hygra.com/uk/tc/tc107/   

http://hygra.com/uk/tc2/TC146-A_fine_Regency_three_compartment_Penwork_Tea_caddy_decorated%20all_over_with_exotic_%20penwork_%20scenes_Ciirca_1815D/ 

 http://hygra.com/uk/tc2/TC600-Penwork_decorated_tea_chest_Circa_1820D/ 

Please click on images to enlarge |  slide show  | thumbnail index |

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the   particularly hated is wearing.

 

This one is playing a serious role. He sits. He has a red jewel .

A man of importance in splendid dress, sitting on cushions, 

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while a man of lesser rank 

 

appears to be introducing a beautiful girl.

Please click on images to enlarge |  slide show  | thumbnail index |

 

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The Saz player plucks . 

His hand and arm look a little like a gauntlet in armor.

The hats are amassing.

They have gold leaf almost on the surface.

I have a friend who fascinates with his hat bauble!

The patterns on the clothes are picked out in gold

 

patterns characteristic of traditional Chinese decoration. 

Enlarge Picture

 

One of the screens depicts a man of importance in splendid dress, sitting on cushions, 
while a man of lesser rank appears to be introducing a beautiful girl.

Enlarge Picture

Please click on images to enlarge |  slide show  | thumbnail index |

Enlarge Picture
The backs are covered in 
embossed red paper. 

 

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The backs are covered in 
embossed red paper. 

This was being produced by firms like Dobbs. It involved almost melting a coloured surface onto the paper.

Hygra Gallery : Antique Face Screens made with paper

 It is an imitation of the grain of leather.

 

Please click on images to enlarge |  slide show  | thumbnail index |

This turning is special:
 it requires more than simple turning to achieve this.

The wood is ebony. It is dense and gives a good finish with only wax or oil.

This is   Ornamental Turning

This is a lot of work and thought. Is the simple turning done after the ornamental element has been milled and turned.

The milling needed the object to be turned with a plate which enables the degrees to be judged. The milling machine has to be controlled. 

This is a work of days. For each facet the cylinder of ebony in the main drive is locked; the  milling machine  brought in, and the cut made. Repeat till you get back to where you started!

 

Enlarge Picture

 

Enlarge Picture

The framing of the main pictures has one feature in common, the punctuating of the corners by four butterflies. 

These provide the starting point for a series of swirls and lines which form precise spaces which are in turn filled with diaper patterns characteristic of traditional Chinese decoration.

 Outside the patterns, delicate flowers connect the framing with the main picture, softening the symmetrical surround and introducing the jolly, colourful, moving figures. 

Please click on images to enlarge |  slide show  | thumbnail index |

 

Enlarge Picture

Scene the oriental figures are dancing to music played on exotic (at the time) instruments. There are smiling faces in this scene and also movement. The 
spectacular clothes are enhanced with gold patterns as on the other screen.

The image is incredible.

The outside is generally called penwork or penwork. This is hand drawn generally with a fine brush with Indian ink. This had the particular quality of being possible to draw the line without it bleeding out.

 

Please click on images to enlarge |  slide show  | thumbnail index |

 

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

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