Splendid Screen from India

This exquisite vintage screen is from India. Intricately carved and hand painted on both sides, this wooden divider features scenes of courtly lovers and elaborately dressed men and women in colorful traditional costumes, bordered by delicate floral designs. The screen, from the trim on the painted clothing to the pierced work on the screen, is lavishly accented with gilt.

 

Although the tradition of miniature painting existed in India perhaps as early as the 7th century CE in illustrations of Buddhist scriptures, the style of painting on this superb screen reflects the influence of the Mughal dynasty. Ruling India from 1526 CE to 1857 CE, the Mughal period was established by Babur, a descendent of Genghis Khan. His son, Humayun, was forced into exile, but returned with the assistance of the Persian Shah. Influenced by his time in Persia, Humayun brought with him Persian miniature artists as part of his court. His son, Akbar, was able to consolidate the empire and established an atelier of over hundred painters. Over time, the Persian tradition melded with Indian influences, moving from chronicling the events of the Mughal courts to illustrating Hindu epics and history as artists migrated to other regions of India, establishing their own schools and styles. This fabulous folding screen is like having your own portable private gallery of traditional Indian art.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

14799-60

Bedding Down. . .

 . . .which is what you do both figuratively and literally with this so-called Murphy bed. At first glance this handsome piece of vintage furniture appears to be a nice wood dresser.

It even has a pull-out bottom drawer.

However, open up the front panel and inside is concealed a folding bed. Although there were various types of fold-up bedsteads before, in the early 1900s William Lawrence Murphy received patents for a "disappearing bed." According to legend, Murphy wished to court a young lady, but was living in a single room apartment. At that time it would have been considered improper for a single man to invite a woman into his bedroom, so Murphy created his eponymous folding bed, thus converting his bedroom into a more proper parlor. Murphy beds became a popular space-saving device, either installed in a wall or hidden in a cabinet or dresser. In 1989, a federal appellate court held that because the term "Murphy Bed" had entered common usage, it was no longer eligible for trademark protection. Murphy or wall beds are still a popular option for small apartments and homes, often combined with other functions, such as shelving, storage or a home offce.

This example has nice art deco detailing on its handles.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

8402-6348

Beautiful Birds in Bronze

This superb sculpture captures a covey of quail bursting out of cover and taking to the air.

The artist not only captures in meticulous detail everything from the birds' plumage to the twisting foliage, he manages to portray in metal their movement and grace. You can almost hear the sound of the birds' outspread wings as the quail take flight.

Entitled "Heading for New Cover," this outstanding example of wildlife art is by Utah artist Clark Bronson.

Born in 1939 in Utah, the son of a game warden, Clark Bronson grew up with a keen observation of wildlife. He attended the University of Utah and studied for three years under famed American illustrator Arnold Friberg. In 1960, Bronson was commissioned by the Utah Game and Fish Commission to do illustrations. His detailed and realistic watercolors and drawings of wildlife soon gained him admiration and accolades. By 1969 he was recognized as one of the leading wildlife painters in America. His illustrations appeared in a wide variety of of outdoors and sport magazines, as well as books. Bronson started sculpting in 1969, transferring his artistic skills to three dimensions, his meticulously detailed sculptures capturing the beauty and movement of the animals and birds he portrayed. Bronson died in 2020.

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