A very impressive mahogany Victorian pole screen

In detail we have the following;

• a tripod base in mahogany with cabriole legs and knurled feet 

• a turned column of baluster form. There are two chips out of one part of the column

• an embroidery consisting of the following elements: a queen receiving a gift with a unicorn and a lion in attendance. Unicorns were symbols of chastity and power with only a virgin being able to capture the creatures. I have no doubt that the imagery contained within the embroidery is intended to represent Elizabeth 1st, the virgin queen (1558 - 1603) and is typically Victorian in nature. Lions have long been emblems of majesty, strength and military might - the Victorians were very patriotic and would no doubt remember with pride the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 during Elizabeth’s reign. There is also a monkey in the scene, no doubt because monkeys were popular pets for rich Victorians 

• the embroidery is glazed and is contained within a mahogany frame

• above and below the embroidery is a carved embellishment 

• the glazed embroidery can be moved up and down on the central pole via a brass fastening

• there is a slight bow on the pole at the top. This is not noticeable when the embroidery panel is on the pole. This bow is undoubtedly caused by the weight of the glazed panelling pulling the pole forward. To counteract this I have located the glazed panel in a different position on the pole so that over time the pole will become straight 

• historically, French polish has been applied to this item so the woodwork has a shiny appearance

• there are some mahogany veneer losses on the reverse of the embroidery panel

• the finial was deliberately made to be loose so that the embroidery panel could be slipped off the pole if/when required. The pole is easily removed from the base as it has a wooden screw thread on the end. This means that this item is easy to transport in a car as there are four separate elements: the legs, the pole, the glazed embroidery panel, the finial

Pole screens were designed to protect a lady’s face from the warmth of a fire and the damage it could do to  makeup. The embroidered screen of this item would also of course have enabled the lady to demonstrate her prowess in needlework 

This is fantastic decorator's piece and will look stunning in the corner of a room

Due to the nature of this item I am afraid that it is for collection only (from Buntingford, East Herts SG9)