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Exquisite Antique Face Screen with rare color painting Circa 1820

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Description:
Ref:  168fs    http://hygra.com/face/168fs 

Antique Face screen with rare color painting circa 1820

The central scene is an orchestration of social history filtered through the imagination of the artist who composed it. The setting is an oriental garden complete with pavilions and exotic flora. 

The exotically dressed child playing with his hoop strikes a joyful note A richly dressed oriental figure stands by the seated lady who is holding a child. The lady is European and is opulently dressed. Behind them there is a column with a neoclassical bust on top A very unusual combination of oriental and European   elements hinting at the then newly triggered interaction of the two cultures.

The surround is a finely drawn composition of stylized flora, with echoes of "black-work" embroidery introduced to England by Catherine  of Aragon  and reminiscent of Indian paisley embroideries and prints.
The handle  is exquisitely turned ebony. The tapered section in the middle has been then milled some sections have been gilded.

Origin: UK;  Circa: 1820; Materials: .

Size:  Screen  23,6 cm wide by 17.5 cm; handle  23.5 cm long:  9.3 inches wide by  6.9 inches; handle    9.3 inches long.

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

Keywords: Hygra.com, Antique box, Antique Face Screen, fan, fire screen penwork, pen and ink, color, Chinoiserie,  Cathay

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The scene is unusual: on the left there is a classical pillar with bust on top, then a woman sitting with child on lap. Then a clerical gentleman.Enlarge Picture

The central scene is an orchestration of social history filtered through the imagination of the artist who composed it. The setting is an oriental garden complete with pavilions and exotic flora. 

The exotically dressed child playing with his hoop strikes a joyful note A richly dressed oriental figure stands by the seated lady who is holding a child. The lady is European and is opulently dressed. Behind them there is a column with a neoclassical bust on top A very unusual combination of oriental and European   elements hinting at the then newly triggered interaction of the two cultures.

The gold ornaments on the oriental figures clothes are echoed on the woman's dress hinting at the allure of the East,  which was enchanting and enveloping the Europeans.

The surround is a finely drawn composition of stylized flora, with echoes of "black-work" embroidery introduced to England by Catherine  of Aragon  and reminiscent of Indian paisley embroideries and prints.

The pattern starts symmetrically, but when it comes to the top an element of rococo is introduced with the variations on each side. This harmonises perfectly with the main picture and gives the whole composition added vigour. Note the stylized tulip which follows the contours of the cut form of the screen. The detailed intricacy  of the whole is a rich feast for the eyes and imagination  

The   little boy with the hoop is on another of the screens:

The entire scene is on the back of a Regency tea chest decorated in penwork which is now in a private collection, which I documented in:

A  Regency three compartment Penwork Tea caddy decorated all over with exotic penwork scenes on a sycamore ground . Circa 1820. tcpendisfam04.jpg (95842 bytes)

Hygra: A Regency Penwork Three Compartment Tea Caddy circa 1820

The scene is unusual: on the left there is a classical pillar with bust on top, then a woman sitting with child on lap. Then a clerical gentleman. The boy on the right with the hoop seems to be in Chinese clothes. The whole composition is Chinese inspiration: an island of Cathay fantasy.  A  Regency three compartment Penwork Tea caddy decorated all over with exotic penwork scenes on a sycamore ground . Circa 1820.tcpendisfam10.jpg (140225 bytes)

Is this the same boy?

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The other side the scene is in the Chinoiserie tradition. Two men one sitting seem to meet in an Oriental garden with a low fence and exotic plants.

 

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Is this A missionary? His church in the background?
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The handle  is exquisitely turned ebony. The tapered section in the middle has been then milled:  an external controllable cutting tool is applied. I keep looking and I am not certain it wasn't carved. It may be a mixture of the two.

Some of the cavetto grooves have been gilded to give accent.

Imagine twirling this between your fingers in candle and firelight

The turning is sharp and precise.

See: Hygra: Ornamental Turning  

 

The turning is sharp and precise.

See: Hygra: Ornamental Turning  

 

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An European woman sits with her rattle waving child in smock on lap. Behind her is a pillar  with bust of idealized classical woman with a look of disdain.

There are some losses to the upper layer of paintwork. Both of the figures have been overprinted in  colours and gold. 

The upper part of the Clerics frock has flaked off. 

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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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