With the influence of Empress Eugenie's aesthetic, the 'Japonaise" decorative style took over France during the reign of her husband, France's last Emperor, "Napoleon III". This set of face screens are from that period (c.1850-70). The style expanded from France throughout Europe and UK, and on to the USA. The face screens, a Victorian staple for any fine home expecting visitors came in all manner of decorative styles from papier-mâché to needlework and painted silk, carved wood, and so on. This set are hand embroidered, have the original trim, beaded ends of bamboo sticks, and the original tassels (missing 1). Face screens were on hand at a fireplace (which tended to be very quite large in order to heat rooms, remember), and were given to guests who might wish to sit near the warmth of the hearth, but not to have their cheeks blotched by direct heat, nor their wax-based makeup smeared or run. I've always found this a charming tradition of the Victorian era home, and we've had such incredible sets. This one is just in from France. You are buying a pair (2) screens.
Very good condition for age and type. You can see in our closeup images there are some imperfections in the needlework, owing to age. The sticks are all in very fine condition, no breaks, and every single glass beaded tip remains fully intact, too. One tassel missing and age to the passementerie but truly small loss for a set 170 or so years old. Elegant palette, theme. Measurement on the photos.
