Four folding screens and a section of framed wallpaper

comprising a Victorian pair of two-fold bamboo 'gate' screens, a larger three-fold bamboo 'gate' screen, losses, a four-fold printed paper screen, second quarter 20th century, lacking a further section of four-folds and a large Victorian oblong panelled section of hand blocked coloured wallpaper within a moulded 'cabochon' frame, possibly by J. G. Crace, all distressed (5)

Each distressed and gallery inspection recommended. These are very distressed and require attention. Tears to paper. Losses throughout to bamboo and evidence of worm, one metal foot missing on three-fold example. And colour on wallpapered panel which is also badly stained. Victorian bamboo pair: each screen overall:168cm. by 138cm. Single panel size four-fold papered screen: 184cm. by 28.5cm.. Three fold bamboo panel overall 170cm by 220cm.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any stat.mes nt made by Replica Shoes 's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The panel of hand blocked wallpaper is interesting as it relates to the decoration from 1840 of the Lower Library at Chatsworth. This was undertaken by J. G. Crace a firm of decorators favoured by the 6^th Duke of Devonshire. Crace were responsible for the transformation of this room where they installed satinbirch bookcases divided by painted Italianate reserves, not unlike this panel. This decoration was undertaken by a team from Paris. The 6^th Duke described these artists in his Handbook to Chatsworth and Hardwick from 1844, he writes ‘three bearded artists in blouses were imported from Paris and completed the ceiling and pilasters’. Before that it was ‘All white, ceilings and walls. Posterity take my word for it, it was atrocious’. The Duke wrote that Crace made it ‘look something between an illustrated manuscript and a café in the rue de Richelieu’ (Duchess of Devonshire, Chatsworth, The House, 2002, p. 150, 152, 153). Whilst it is not possible to definitively attribute the offered panel to Crace's workshop, it must of had a particular purpose at one of the Devonshire's homes. The conjoined snakes on the panel reference the Devonshire crest and establish a link with the family.