Firescreen - Keith Hall, InverurieObject: Firescreen

Place of origin: Birmingham (probably, made)

Date: 1850 (made)

Artist/Maker: Jennens & Bettridge (makers)

Materials and Techniques: Wooden frame, with papier-mâché

Museum number: CIRC.168-1964

Gallery location: In Storage

Public access description

This firescreen was originally supplied as part of a whole suite of papier-mâché furniture, all in the historic Jacobean style. It was ordered bythe 8th Earl of Kintore for Keith Hall, Inverurie, in Scotland, and delivered in October 1850 by the makers, Jennens & Bettridge. This firm wasthe largest and best known maker of papier-mâché in Britain at the time. They manufactured their wares in Birmingham, but also kept ashowroom in Halkin Street in West London. Papier-mâché makers often included well-known castles and stately homes in their decoration butthis is clearly a special commission. In front of Keith Hall, we can see the figures of the Earl and Countess, together with their dogs Flush andBruno.

Descriptive line

Cheval firescreen, of papier-mâché, in Jacobean style, the main panel painted with a view of Keith Hall, Inverurie, Scotland

Physical description

A trestle form fire-screen, of wood and papier-mâché, the frame of Jacobean revival style, japanned in red and gold, inset with paste gems, thepanel of the fire-screen pained with a landscape including Keith Hall, Inverurie, and showing the 8th Earl and Countess of Kintore walking withtheir dogs Flush and Bruno

Museum number

CIRC.168-1964

Object history note

Made for the Earl of Kintore, for Keith Hall, Inverurie, together with a suite of papier-mâché furniture, by Jennens & Bettridge in October 1850

URL

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O53301/keith-hall-inverurie-firescreen-jennens-bettridge/

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