Gilt Bronze Folding Fireplace Fan (Peacock Screen), Napoleon III Style (3107)

Gilt Bronze Folding Fireplace Fan (Peacock Screen) — Napoleon III Style, France, Second Half of the 19th Century

This striking fireplace fan (peacock firescreen) is an exquisite work of gilt bronze in the spirit of Napoleon III and the Rococo Revival. Its ingenious mechanism allows seven openwork, perforated bronze blades to unfold into the shape of a peacock’s tail fan or fold together like a fan. The central column is crowned by a delicate mascaron (grotesque face) and a volute handle, all resting on an openwork rocaille pedestal with scrolling volute legs. Each blade is adorned with fine, lace-like perforations that cast a patterned shadow in the light.

Height 61 cm · width (folded) 26 cm · width (unfolded) 80 cm

Craftsmanship & Period. The fan dates to the second half of the 19th century, the Napoleon III era, when Rococo and various historical styles flourished in France. Such peacock fan fireplace screens were both decorative and practical: they covered an empty fireplace opening in summer and caught sparks, while serving as an elegant interior accent.

Second Empire Snapshot: The lady in the green silk dress leaned towards the fireplace before the guests arrived and, with a single touch, unfolded the bronze fan to its full width. The gas lamp’s light scattered through the openwork blades into hundreds of tiny stars on the parquet. She smiled, satisfied — the salon was ready. Beyond the curtains, the first carriage could already be heard on the cobblestones.

Maker / Signature / Mark. Unmarked; the quality of the mechanism, the fineness of the blade perforations, and the modeling of the mascaron indicate a good bronzier workshop in the second half of the 19th century.

Rarity & Significance. Folding peacock fan fireplace screens with a fully functional mechanism and all blades intact are difficult to find today — blades easily bend or disappear, and the mechanism can seize up over time.

Application & Interior Use. The fan serves as a decorative screen in front of the fireplace, but also as a standalone sculptural accent on a mantelpiece or console. Its golden shimmer and peacock tail fan shape create a theatrical, photogenic detail in interior photography.

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

Condition. The mechanism, blades, and pedestal are preserved; there may be areas of gilding wear and patina, minor blade bends or retouching, consistent with age. The condition of the item is fully reflected in the photographs.