Fornasetti Screens and Room Dividers

Hand painted Chinese screen, China, circa 1950s. This screen features a hand-painted still life and could be used as a table screen, or wal...

China, 1940s-1960s Folding screen or room divider in black lacquer with hand painted decoration. Chic and functional chinoiserie piece. Each side of the screen has a different design...

There can be wit and unpredictability in the order: this was Fornasetti idea when he designed his first bookends. The mix of images with their functional design make these accessorie...

A superbly decorative six-panel lacquered 'Coromandel' screen, exquisitely carved and hand-painted with oriental figures, flowers and exotic beasts on a dark brown background, in the traditional 17th century manner.  Late 19th – early 20th century. Why we like it We like its impressive proportions which make it perfect for a feature wall, and the exquisite quality of decoration. The subtlety of colours lends a 'soft' look to the piece. The central motif depicts a scene set in the gardens of a Han dynasty palace, while the outer borders are decorated with the “one hundred antiques” motif interspersed with floral arrangements. In this regard, the present screen not only conveys auspicious meanings but also demonstrate the owner’s fine scholarly taste. History The term 'Coromandel', which is used to describe this particular type of lacquer technique (kuancai), is rather misleading. In the 18th century it was used commercially to indicate the place from which these objects were shipped to England through the East India Companies, and had no reference to China, the place of their origin. Similarly, Chinese painted wallpaper was often called 'India paper' in historic documants. The kuancai lacquer technique, literally meaning “cut out colour” and found almost exclusively on screens, emerged in the 16th century to serve the domestic market. The iconographic elements were carved through the built-up coats of dark lacquer and filled with pigments and gold. Seventeenth century examples usually consisted of twelve panels, and were often employed in entrance halls or as room dividers or windscreens for gardens and terraces. They were often commissioned as gifts and depicted court scenes, episodes from the world of the immortals, panoramic or landscape views and auspicious symbols. This type of lacquerware was flourishing during the reign of the Kangxi emperor (1662-1722) and saw a revival in the 19th century. Stylistically the present screen may be compared with the twelve-panel lacquer screen from the Kangxi period in the Victoria and Albert Museum illustrated by W. De Kesel and G. Dhont in Coromandel Lacquer Screens, ill. 23, pps 36-37. Such luxurious items were popular in England during the height of fashion for oriental exoticism, called chinoiserie in Europe. In the 20th century, Coromandel screens still remained a staple in the European interior design. Coco Chanel had a collection of 32 rare Coromandel screens, which she proudly displayed in her home at 31 Rue Cambom, Paris. She one...

Part of the Almeria series, this screen is comprised of three panels, each divided into two, whose structure is in wood with a wenge finish. The panels are covered in Pinetti's signa...

There can be wit and unpredictability in the order: this was Fornasetti idea when he designed his first bookends. The mix of images with their functional design make these accessorie...

A vintage privacy panel of room divider screen with decorative monkey playing instrument motif, composed of paper mache with wood framed foundation.

Wrapped in a beautiful ocre and ivory fabric, this three-panel screen will be the perfect piece to customize your room. Use it to create a private area or section off your interior t...

This rare Fornasetti blind will make any room. It's a real stunner in person and retains Christies and Sothebys auction stickers.

Add a touch of timeless elegance with this vintage Regency hand-painted screen. Featuring exquisite, detailed artwork and a refined design, it’s perfect for dividing spaces, enhancin...

Large four-panel screen by Marco Emmanuele – edition 1/3. Product details The most recent production of the artist Marco Emmanuele consists of a series...

Exquisite art deco screen or room divider. Light brown lacquered panels with gold-leafed heron motif engraved. Four panel folding configuration. Designer unknown; in the style of Do...