Georgian-earliest Victorian era penwork face screen (single, painted on one side). c. 1770-1830s, British. Fabulous one, Chinoise, exotic scene with British castle and elaborately beautiful florals, motifs creating broad borders. The painting in ink, "penwork" on thin board of maple or sycamore (light wood). The handle is superb, lathe-turned and ebonized. A hand held fire screen, these are face screens. Normally they were made with a matching pair, but this one has lost its mate over the centuries. Elaborate works of art, we think of these as women's art, as most face screens were crafted, embroidered, beaded by women. A tool to decorate a well-appointed home, and to protect a visitor's face from becoming blushed by the heat of a big open fireplace. This offering is for 1 face screen, one side is unpainted light maple, varnished, and the other with a British landscape. Full measurements noted on photos.
Very good to excellent condition, I think perhaps the ebonized wood handle might have been longer initially (they normally are), though it also appears nothing is missing so perhaps as original. Handle is affixed and undamaged. Gorgeous for display, wall art, or to use.
