Antique Rococo French Three-Fold Hand-Painted Wood Romantic Cherub and Floral Room Divider, 1890s

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Spectacular Antique Early 20th Century Style 3-Panel Hand-Painted Room Divider Screen.

An absolute showstopper of classical elegance, this magnificent antique-three-panel … Read more Spectacular Antique Early 20th Century Style 3-Panel Hand-Painted Room Divider Screen.

An absolute showstopper of classical elegance, this magnificent antique-three-panel folding room divider serves as both a functional draft screen and a monumental piece of fine art.

This antique French hand-painted trifold wooden room divider screen dates to circa 1900. It was produced in France in the Romantic style. The central panel features a classical cherub (putto) balancing a heavy, vibrant basket of flowers on his head while standing on a stone pedestal. The flanking side panels depict climbing rose-covered trellises against a rich, warm wood-grain background.

The back of the panels is finished in plain solid black.

Meticulously hand-painted, the screen features an exquisite Romantic narrative rich with Neoclassical symbolism, vibrant floral arrangements, and rich, deep wood tones. It is an exceptional statement piece perfect for anchoring a living room, dressing suite, or high-end interior design project.

The screen is divided into three beautifully cohesive, narrative panels that form a striking garden vignette.

The Center Panel: Features a beautifully rendered, Classical cherub / putto standing draped in a crimson sash atop a carved stone pedestal. The figure balances a towering, overflowing wicker basket of lush peonies, roses, and hydrangea blooms upon its head.

The Flanking Panels: Mirror one another with twisting, naturalistic tree arbors heavily draped in climbing pink, white, and crimson roses, creating a frame that draws the eye directly toward the central figure.

Each panel is framed by a highly detailed, continuous gilded or ochre foliate border pattern that adds stately refinement.

Antique condition with a gorgeous, authentic aged patina.

The hand-painted oil imagery remains remarkably vibrant with minor, stable age-appropriate crazing and light surface scuffs that enhance its historic character.

The panels stand securely. The brass hinges have been replaced; they are strong, intact, and fold smoothly. Only two panels fold together, and the 3 panel sticks out.

Height: 177cm

Length: 140cm

Width: 2cm

The painted screen tells an story of abundance, love, and the beauty of nature:

The Center Panel (The Putto & The Harvest): The central figure is a Putto (often referred to as a cherub or Cupid), a classical symbol of love, innocence, and peace.

This specific motif—a cherub carrying a floral basket—symbolizes the triumph of spring and the celebration of life's bounty.

The Side Panels (The Garden Framework): The two flanking panels depict stylized, winding tree trunks wrapped in climbing ivy. The branches bow gracefully inward at the top, forming a natural, framing arbor over the central scene.

Cascading roses and tulips bloom heavily from these branches, emphasizing a sense of lush, untouched paradise. See less