Black lacquered metal fireplace screen with gold ornament, Napoleon III style (5812)

Black lacquered metal fireplace screen with gold ornament — Napoleon III style, France, mid-19th century

This elegant fireplace screen (tôle firescreen) is a characteristic work of lacquered and gilded metal (tôle peinte) from the Napoleon III and Louis Philippe eras. The curved black lacquered panel served as a pare-étincelles – a spark guard in front of the fire, while simultaneously adorning the fireplace with a delicate gilded ornament. A diamond-shaped rosette with floral, acanthus, and urn motifs adorns the centre of the panel; swirling gilded ornaments decorate the corners, and a thin gold line frames the edge. The panel rests on four cast iron lion paw feet with acanthus volutes, topped with two metal finials.

Height 122.5 cm · width 66.5 cm · depth ~22 cm

Period of Manufacture, Artistic Style, Era. The screen dates from the mid-19th century, the Napoleon III and Louis Philippe periods, when the art of tôle peinte – lacquered metal objects with hand-painted or stencilled gilding – flourished in France and England. Such fireplace screens were both practical (protecting the room from sparks and heat) and decorative, featuring Oriental-inspired ornamentation reminiscent of lacquerware.

Snapshot: The writer George Sand looked up from her manuscript late one evening in Nohant, as the embers glowed in the fireplace. The black panel with its gold pattern reflected the flames like a dark mirror, and her pen paused for a moment. The room grew warm and quiet; outside, it was raining. She bent over the page again – but the gold pattern continued to shimmer at the edge of her vision for a long time, like something alive.

Maker. Unmarked; the quality of the ornament and the modelling of the cast iron feet suggest a tôle workshop from the mid-19th century.

Rarity and Significance. Tôle peinte fireplace screens with their original gilding and cast iron feet intact are difficult to find today – the lacquered surface is easily damaged, and the gilding wears away near the fire. The preserved ornament lends this particular example special value.

Application in Interiors, Design, and Photography. The screen serves in front of the fireplace as a decorative and functional element; outside the heating season, it closes off the fireplace opening as a beautiful black and gold accent. Its dark surface and gold pattern create a dramatic, photogenic detail in interior photography.

Gift Idea. An impressive gift for a fireplace owner, antique enthusiast, or interior designer.

Condition. The screen has unhurriedly carried its history: the black lacquer and gilded ornament are largely preserved, but signs of age are visible – surface scratches, lacquer wear, and patina, especially on the lower part and edges, as well as areas of corrosion. It is precisely this authentic patina that testifies to the item’s history. The condition of the item is fully reflected in the photographs.

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