Pole firescreen

This pole screen is one of two supplied by Thomas Chippendale to Sir Lawrence Dundas at Aske Hall, Yorkshire, invoiced on 28 October 1765: ‘2 large Mahogany pole screens cover'd wt India pict: … £2 14s 0d'. It is very similar to another documented example supplied to Blair Castle in 1758, although that one had a panel of French tapestry. The ‘India picture' is a piece of Chinese hand painted paper glued to a canvas, backed with hessian and tacked to a wooden frame or stretcher. However, the panel has been reversed so that the front now shows a piece of early 18th century floral needlework. When acquired by the Chippendale Society the finial was missing and there was no frame to the panel. Both these were replaced after acquisition in 2012. During conservation work it was found that the Chinese paper had become torn and discoloured and had suffered from clumsy attempts at restoration, including the application of a modern lacquer. Unfortunately, this is unlikely to be reversible.

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