Antique French Painted Screen Paravent, circa 1880

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Antique French Painted Screen Paravent, circa 1880

About the Item

Receive our new selections direct from 1stdibs by email each week. Please click follow dealer below and see them first! The painted design on this antique French screen or paravent, circa 1880 is full of neoclassical references with a sense of symmetry and balance that is quite charming. Each of the three panels on this antique screen has an arched top which gives a graceful flow along the top edge. All of the painting seen on the screen has been done by hand using the famous "trompe l'oeil" technique known as "fool the eye". The artist uses various methods to add a three dimensional quality to the painted scenes for dramatic effect. Please notice that in the elaborate painted frame seen at the top of each panel there is a depiction of a different dwelling set within a landscape. The frames are representations of gilded wood that traditionally hold paintings and appear suspended from ribbons with the centre ribbon being a different color than the ribbons on the left and right. Below the oval frames on each panel is a tall and slender vessel with garlands of flowers draped across the top and the garlands are threaded through rings set within the background of each panel. The tradition of hanging fresh flower garlands indoors was particularly popular in the eighteenth century especially during the reign of Marie-Antoinette and her husband King Louis XVI. The base of the screen is painted to resemble marble terrazzo and the darker color gives a grounded sense to the delicate and fair painted scenes above. This screen is known in French as a "paravent" which translates as "against the wind" in English. Please notice that the reverse side of the screen is also painted with panels of delightful flowers that were meant to be seen. Originally this screen stood on the floor by a doorway to a room that opened from the hallway. In the winter, as the hallways were not kept heated, a rush of colder air swept into a heated interior every time the door was opened. This screen, placed adjacent to the door, precluded the rush of air across the room. In the present day this function is no longer necessary so these screens are placed to their best advantage hanging on a wall either as a headboard, above a sofa or on a wall where a piece of furniture is impractical. The pleasing handmade quality of this screen with its lovely array of colors and subject matter will bring the unique sensibilities of French decoration to any room.

Dimensions:
Height: 59 in (149.86 cm)Width: 54 in (137.16 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
Style:
Neoclassical (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Hand-Painted
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
1880-1889
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1880
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Houston, TX
Reference Number:
Seller: MDJA81stDibs: LU86687943693