Four Antique Pictures of Flowers and Butterflies

A rare and superbly decorative set of four Chinoiserie wallpaper panels, exquisitely hand-painted with exotic birds and butterflies in the garden, on a pale pink/peach background. Each panel is beautifully framed in a modern simulated bamboo frame. Chinese, Canton, Qing dynasty, early 19th century. Why we like them The exquisite quality of decoration and the miraculous state of preservation for a decorative artwork on paper make these panels a truly rare find. The subtlety of colours, bold yet not garish, lend a 'noble' look to the piece. History Such luxurious items were popular in England during the height of fashion for oriental exoticism, called chinoiserie in Europe.  The young Prince of Wales (future King George IV) was often described as having a wildly extravagant taste in decorating his palaces. As early as 1801, the Prince had been completely taken by Oriental tastes and began to expand his existing Brighton retreat. Having been presented a gift of Chinese wallpaper, he ordered a Chinese Gallery to display the new paper. The 162-foot long room was contrived of painted glass decorated with flowers, insects, fruit and birds. The Prince's desire for additional structures in the Oriental manner resulted in commissioning the fashionable architect John Nash and the designer Frederick Crace...

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...

A rare pair of charming blue and 'decalcomania' decorated glass vases, mounted as lamps, on water-gilded bases. Vases French, 19th century, mounts modern. Why we like them We love t...

An extremely rare and superbly decorative Chinese export black lacquer panel, exquisitely gilt-decorated with figures, pagodas and emblazoned with a coat of arms, also displaying mot...

Each featuring horse and coach travels in England set in a landscape. Provenance; Alfred Bullard, 12 North Row. Park Lane, London. W.E Browne Design, Atlanta Ga.

PAIR of Rustic Adirondack style (1940s) mezzotint hunt scene pictures framed in carved bark (PRICED AS PAIR) (Similar pair: 056178)

A wonderfully original painting and mixed-media creation on board and vintage Victorian frame from a dresser mirror, having a beautiful fancy French shape and adorned with flowers, b...

A collection of 4 close-up vividly colored and almost stylistic oil on canvas paintings of respectively a white peony, a blue tulip, a dahlia and a cutleaf coneflower. About the art...