Folding screen
Category
Furniture
Date
c. 1660 - c. 1670
Materials
Painted and gilded paper, mounted on wooden frames, panels currently individually mounted in ebonised and glazed wooden frames.
Measurements
249 x 340 x 6 cm
Place of origin
Mexico City
Order this imageCollection
Ham House, Surrey
NT 1139576
Summary
A pair of folding screens, probably Mexican, perhaps 1660s. Each screen consisting of four rectangular panels (currently separately framed), of paper stretched over (presumably) wooden frameworks, with gilded arches in relief at the top of each panel centred with a roundel depicting a vase with flowers in colours, with gilded Japanese-style clouds in relief at the bottom and sides, surrounding landscapes in colours, in Japanese style, with rounded hills, lakes and rivers, various types of trees, rocks, various birds and animals, Western-style towns and buildings and human figures in Western dress engaged in various activities, surrounded by a red border with floral and foliage ornaments.
Full description
References: Emile de Bruijn, Borrowed Landscapes: China and Japan in the Historic Houses and Gardens of Britain and Ireland, London, Philip Wilson Publishers in association with the National Trust, 2023, pp. 29-32 (fig. 11), and see further references listed there.
Provenance
Probably acquired by the Duke and Duchess of Lauderdale in the 1670s-80s, and thence by descent; acquired by HM Government, 1948, and transferred to the Victoria and Albert Museum; transferred to the National Trust, 2002.