Description
A fine and rare English chinoiserie-decorated occasional table, ca 1820.
The subject matter is extremely rare in that it depicts Europeans in exotic oriental robes. One is seated with an opium pipe; displayed in a polychrome romantic tropical environment with pavilions, rockwork, trellising, foliage, palms, with a peacock and HoHo bird at their feet.
Note the very rare and charming depiction of these men with beards. In over 67 years we have never handled a japanned table showing this European feature.
Raised on a gilded, reeded, partly-ebonised column rising from a stylised platform base and spreading, gilded animal-paw feet.
Very much in the Brighton Pavillion manner, and retaining its wonderful, original, vivid colours. Rare for an exquisite antique table such as this to have survived in such superb condition throughout.
References:
Regency period: from 1811 to 1820, the period during which George, Prince of Wales, governed the country as ‘Regent’.
Vis. Victoria & Albert Museum – Collections
https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/chinoiserie-an-introduction
Chinoiserie drew on these exotic, mysterious preconceptions. Objects featured fantastic landscapes with fanciful pavilions, sweeping lines of the roofs [etc]…
Nb. Chinoiserie, from ‘Chinois’; French for Chinese, was a style inspired by art and design from China, Japan and other Asian countries during the late 17th & 18th centuries.
For comparable decoration, see Christies 27 Nov 2003 sold @ £33,460.
A George IV simulated-rosewood and painted cabinet on stand.
Painted in the manner of ‘Mr. George Wimpear in the employment of Mr. Loudon’, December 6th, 1821.
