Lot Essay
The state apartment created at Nostell Priory, Yorkshire in the 1770's by Sir Rowland Winn, 5th Baronet (d.1786) and Thomas Chippendale (d.1779), cabinet-maker and upholsterer of St. Martin's Lane, London is the most celebrated of Georgian Chinese apartments, being richly furnished with Chinese papers, Oriental porcelain and lacquered and japanned furnishings. The screen, described as an 'India Japand screen 12 laps.' was displayed in its withdrawing-room, known as 'The Large Dressing Room' and was listed in the valuation of Household Furniture drawn up on the 10th August 1818 by Messrs Robinson and Wilby. However, it had been described more fully twelve years previously, in an 'Inventory taken at Nostell Mansion in 1806' following the death of Sir Rowland Winn 6th Baronet (d.1805), by H.Philips, New Bond Street. It was then listed under 'India Japan and Lacquered Ware' as:- 'A 12 leaved folding screen of the rare and fine old brown Japan enamelled in gold and coloured figures and landscapes and on the reverse side birds and flowers, in fine condition' (Yorkshire Record Office: c/4/1/15).