Description:
Silvered and Gilded Leather, Embossed and Painted
Manufactured in the Netherlands, 1740-1770
This Dutch leather panel was originally part of a decorative wall covering. Created in the mid-18th century, it perfectly embodies the Rococo style through its elaborate scrollwork and sinuous floral motifs, known as rocaille. The composition is exceptionally rich and decorative, featuring a profusion of flowers—including tulips—and fruits such as plums, cherries, and grapes. All elements are painted in opulent and vibrant colors, ranging from shades of green, blue, and red to more delicate grays and browns.
To achieve a textural and three-dimensional effect, the leather was embossed by pressing a heated metal die bearing the rocaille design. The ornamental scrolls were subsequently gilded with a yellowish varnish applied over a silvered base, simulating the appearance of gold. Flowers, fruits, and foliage were then hand-painted with refined effects of veining and chiaroscuro, enhancing their naturalism and depth.
Related works
Only a few examples of this decorative motif are known, housed at the Deutsches Ledermuseum, the Municipal Museum of Zwolle, a private collection in Belgium, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, Museo de la Pell Vic (Barcelona).
Period: 18th century, 1740–1770
Dimensions: 0 × 0 cm
Manufacture: Netherlands
Provenance: Private Collection
