Period George III Quilled Gilded Paper Pole Fire Screen

About the Item

This fine lovely English pole screen circa 1780 would have been used to block direct heat from fires when makeup often contained large portions of with wax. The face of the screen is composed of Quilled paper. Paper coiled and worked into designs taking advantage of the positive and negative space created by the act of the coiled material. Often the edges of the paper would be gilded or painted to further enhance the effects of the work. This particular screen is densely worked in a design of sheaves of wheat, coiled bands, flower heads and numerous borders and is set with a lovely old watercolor of three women in a memorial setting. The edges are both painted and gilded. This work was often a women's pursuit and would, like needlework, have indicated a lady's stature by showing she had leisure time and a fine education. This type of work is often seen in small tea caddies and personal memento small picture frames and sometimes pole screens but rarely in large scale works. The pole stand is in a very accomplished carved and turned mahogany with nice rich grain and figuring. The stand is carved at the knees with splayed acanthus leaves and a nicely carved and turned baluster resting on a carved spiraling urn at the junction of the legs and base of the pole. The feet of the legs terminate in beautifully scrolled volutes on raised pad footrests. The finish appears to be original with some wear and rubbing to the carving but no real damage and the color is rich and well-polished...shield is 14 across and 18 tall.

Dimensions:

Height: 54 in (137.16 cm)Diameter: 21 in (53.34 cm)

Style:

George III (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Mahogany,Turned

Place of Origin:

England

Period:

Late 18th Century

Date of Manufacture:

1780

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use. Condition Very Good. The gilding is still very nice on the paper and it all remains intact,while the paint has faded somewhat. The watercolor is intact and fairly fresh and the finish and color of the stand is very good.

Seller Location:

Hudson, NY

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU811316999942

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