Fire Screen
ca. 1780-1785 (made), ca. 1760-80 (made), ca. 1700-50 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Firescreens were very common in 18th-century interiors. Screens such as this, with a sliding panel that could be raised or lowered, were particularly efficient at directing the heat of the fire. This object does not retain its original textiles, but screens of this type would often have been decorated with tapestry panels. These panels were generally commissioned to match the rest of the furniture in the room.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Carved and gilded firescreen, French, 1770-90, sliding panel covered in Neilson Gobelins tapestry and in embroidered silk |
| Physical description | Carved and gilded walnut frame, with metal pulley wheels and audible sash weights. The frame standing on four castors. The frame is fitted with a vertically sliding panel, designed to be operated by the pulley system. The panel covered on side in a panel of Gobelins wool tapestry of a floral composition; on the other in a silk panel embroidered with Chinoiserie motifs. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | The tapestry panel is signed 'Neilson' at its bottom right corner |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by John Jones |
| Object history | This firescreen was given to the Museum in 1882 as part of a large bequest from the military tailor and businessman John Jones. The textiles on the sliding panel are not original to the frame, but it is not known when they were added. The tapestry panel is signed 'Neilson', for Jacques Neilson (1714-1788) who was director of the Gobelins weaving workshop. |
| Summary | Firescreens were very common in 18th-century interiors. Screens such as this, with a sliding panel that could be raised or lowered, were particularly efficient at directing the heat of the fire. This object does not retain its original textiles, but screens of this type would often have been decorated with tapestry panels. These panels were generally commissioned to match the rest of the furniture in the room. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1202:1, 2-1882 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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