Firescreen
possibly Jean Pelletier
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1690
Materials
Carved and gilt wood with in crimson silk damask
Measurements
119.5 x 68.0 x 46.0 cm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Knole, Kent
NT 129484
Summary
A late seventeenth century gilt wood fire screen, c.1690, with a cresting pierced and carved with a vase of flowers flanked by two birds, garlands and scrolls. The side supports bear flaming vase finials and the central support is carved with husks. The apron is carved with a shell, bracket scrolls and acanthus, and resting on scroll feet. The upright rectangular sliding panel is covered with modern crimson damask. In style, the screen is much influenced by contemporary French design, and may be the work of a Huguenot maker in London, such as John (or Jean) Pelletier. A similar documented example by Pelletier survives in the Royal Collection (RCIN 1097) and was supplied to William III around 1700 for Hampton Court Palace.
Provenance
Knole and the majority of its furniture were accepted by HM Treasury in part payment of death duties and transferred to the National Trust in 1946.
Makers and roles
possibly Jean Pelletier, cabinetmaker