Hand screen, Jennens & Bettridge, Birmingham, 1840-1850
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1840-1850
Hand screen, Jennens & Bettridge, Birmingham, 1840-1850 is an object recorded by Victoria and Albert Museum, dated 1840-1850. The museum's brief description reads: Papier-mâché hand-screen, the leaf painted with an ecclesiastical interior and fitted with a turned and gilded handle, made by Jennens & Bettridge.
English, 1840-1850.. Museum description: The hand screen has a leaf, in the shape of a stylised flower head, and a handle, turned and japanned, which is split at the top to hold the leaf with two metal pins. The leaf is painted with an ecclesiastical interior, possibly a church or cathedral, with stone walls, pillars, and floor. In the centre, a red drapery is hung across an arch, in front of a large column. In front of the drapery stand three priests in vestments, the central figure looking at a large open volume on a pedestal.
Along the walls to left and right are low benches concealed under red covers. Above these benches shadows on the walls indicate a source of light not visible on the leaf of the screen. There is a painted inscription, Jennens & Bettridge, on the right hand side of the leaf at the front. The back of the leaf is japanned. The museum record gives material recorded as papier mache; measurements Width 27 cm; Length 40 cm; place associated: Birmingham.
These details come from the holding museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
This hand screen was used to shield the face from the warmth of a fire. Often such screens were sold in pairs and when not in use were part of a symmetrical arrangement of ornaments and other decorative objects on a mantelpiece. Like many hand screens painted with exterior or interior views, the subject of the painting does not fit satisfactorily within the shape of the leaf. In this church interior, a subject which indicates the popularity of Gothic themes in Victorian Britain, the shadows on the wall indicate sources of light not visible in the picture. The hand screen is inscribed with the name of Jennens & Bettridge, one of the largest manufacturers of papier-mâché in the West Midlands. The firm, which was in business from 1815 until 1864, produced not only small items such as hand screens, boxes and trays, but also chairs and settees, as well as decorative panels for ship interiors.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- papier mache
- Dimensions
- Width 27 cm; Length 40 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- papier-mâché, japanned, painted and gilded
- Place recorded
- Birmingham
Design
- Inscriptions recorded
- Jennens & Bettridge
Identification
- Museum object name
- Hand screen
- Museum object number
- W.95-1926
- Museum system number
- O372300
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm materials, dimensions, maker and wider type against the holding institution and a specialist reference.