Rare painted polychrome penwork writing slope Circa 1810

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Rare painted polychrome penwork writing slope Circa 1810.

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Reference: wb111

Description:
A Rare penwork and painted writing slope, the colourful painted center having a still life of flowers and fruit framed by formal penwork in black. This is a rare combination especially in writing slopes.

The decoration on the top depicts fruit and flowers in a naturalistic manner looking at nature and painting it fluidly and naturally in a style which became fashionable in the early 19th century.

The surround and the sides are painted in a more formal manner albeit with flowers and leaves. The blooms are are stylized and the arrangement is symmetrical and orderly in the neoclassical manner of the late 18th Century. The box dates from the short pivotal period between neoclassism and naturalism.

Origin: United Kingdom

Circa: 1810.

Materials: maple on pine.

Size: 31cm by 25 cm by 10cm tapering to 7 cm: 12.2 inches by 9.8 inches by 4 inches tapering to 2.8 inches.
Condition: In good original condition retaining its original blue paper lining and felt writing surface. Some losses to the decoration as can be seen in the pictures but fortunately there has been no attempt to restore/over-paint the losses leaving this rare box with its integrity.

The decoration on the top depicts fruit and flowers in a naturalistic manner looking at nature and painting it fluidly and naturally in a style which became fashionable in the early 19th century.

Please click on images to enlarge

the box retaines writing surface complete with ink stains of life.

Please click on images to enlarge

Some losses to the decoration as can be seen in the pictures but fortunately there has been no attempt to restore/over-paint the losses leaving this rare box with its integrity.

Please click on images to enlarge

The box retaines its original blue paper lining and felt writing surface.

Please click on images to enlarge

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The surround and the sides are painted in a more formal manner albeit with flowers and leaves. The blooms are are stylized and the arrangement is symmetrical and orderly in the neoclassical manner of the late 18th Century. Such designs drew their inspiration both from eastern work and from European sixteenth and seventeenth embroidery design as well as well as from nature.

Please click on images to enlarge

This box is featured at page 63 of our book.

Antique Boxes, Tea Caddies, and Society -- 1700--1880, ISBN: 0764316885 Antigone Clarke & Joseph O'Kelly, A Schiffer Book for collectors..

All text and images and linked images are © 1999-2005 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