Lot Essay
This 'Chinoiserie' fret screen closely recalls the folding fire screen framing hand-painted Chinese pictures from Wolverley House, which C. Gilbert attributes to Thomas Chippendale in The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, vol. II, p. 183, fig. 332).
Chippendale also supplied to Sir Lawrence Dundas, Bt., on 28 October 1763, '2 very Neat Mahogany folding Firescreens cover'd wt fine India pictures [Chinese paintings] & Cutt fretts at Bothom a case and packing' at a total cost of 5-18s-0d (ibid., vol. I, p. 160).
Chippendale also supplied to Sir Lawrence Dundas, Bt., on 28 October 1763, '2 very Neat Mahogany folding Firescreens cover'd wt fine India pictures [Chinese paintings] & Cutt fretts at Bothom a case and packing' at a total cost of 5-18s-0d (ibid., vol. I, p. 160).