A Pair of Pole Screens Attributed to Jennens & Bettridge

Object Description

Constructed in papier-mâché, decorated with gilt arabesques and mother-of-pearl; rising from serpentine swept circular bases supported on scrolled feet, from which rise hexagonal tapering columns issuing brass rods incorporating two adjustable screens, of shaped lozenge form, hand painted in polychromes, in the manner of William Shayer, of landscapes with figures, entitled ‘Returning from Hawking’ & ‘The Morning of the Chase’.Circa 1850

Object Literature

Jennens & Bettridge were successors to the Birmingham based company of Henry Clay, papier mâché manufacturers, and had their retail premises at West Halkin Street, Knightsbridge. Exhibitors at the 1851 Crystal Palace Exhibition, they made a wide range of articles in ‘japanned’ papier mâché, from hand held fans, to cases for grand pianos. Their catalogue shows a ‘wine tray’ of virtually identical shape to our screens.

Object Condition

Excellent condition

Object Details