Code DC113

French Walnut Firescreen with Silk

SOLD

H=43, W=32 1/2

This is a rare French Period Art Nouveau firescreen by the ebeniste, G. Pilet. Around 1900, two contradictory tendencies in furniture occurred: leading ebenistes produced luxury pieces in costly materials, while on the other hand, workshops in other areas turned out inexpensive, somewhat mass produced furniture. Ornamentation in the earlier part of the period was also different from the latter part. One motif, the rose, was used only in the earlier part of the period and virtually absent in the latter part.

Ornamentation on this screens frame and screen is the Rose. The screens fame is constructed of Walnut wood and the screen is hand painted on silk. Art Nouveau's sinuous, free-form shapes taken from nature are evident in the hand carving of the wood. In addition to the rose, there are vines and berries throughout the decor. The hand painted silk screen has the same decor as the wooden frame. The ebenistes stamp is on the left rear foot.

The left rear foot has some old wood worm damage (wood worms no longer present). There is also slight fraying to the silk in some spots.

CIRCA 1900

Le Louvre Antiques

1400 Slocum Street

Dallas, TX  75207

214-742-2605    FAX: 214-742-2639

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