19th C. Chinoiserie Elephant Carving Wood Fire Screen

Description

This is a beautiful and unusual carved wood piece, originally made as a screen for a fireplace opening. It dates … more This is a beautiful and unusual carved wood piece, originally made as a screen for a fireplace opening. It dates to the late 1800s, specifically the Aesthetic Movement era, as evidenced by the many motifs of this period used in its carved design, along with many Chinoiserie motifs. We see it used in an updated way-- to display any favorite textile, to add texture to any room, with no need to limit it to the hearth! We believe it was made in either England or English Colonial India given its design, consistent with the richness of Colonial India circa 1900 as part of the British Empire.

Due to age, there are some cosmetic losses seen on closer inspection--three of the four Indian elephant faces have lost the very tip of their trunk section. There also appears to be a section of openwork carving that has been almost entirely cut away from below the second rail brace--but we note this area would be covered when wrapped over with your chosen textile. Also one top ball is missing its small tip finial. Otherwise the wood does show some stable age shrinkage and darkened finish wear commensurate with age, but we still find it completely enchanting! A wonderful structure, and well worth the time to fully restore with your choice of fabric, tapestry, or possibly an oriental rug fragment. Height from floor to top rail is 30.25". less