Mallett 20th C 2013 final_new Mallett catalogue design 14/10/13 15:20 Pagina 122
A PAIR OF REGENCY REVIVAL WALL LANTERNS
A pair of mid 20th century parcel gilt tôle neoclassical wall lanterns decorated with gilt flutes and swags. England, circa 1950 Height: 24½in/62cm Width: 12in/31cm Depth: 6½in/16cm L2H0237
Of the many competing influences upon the decorative arts of the mid 20th century the English Regency offered the most theatrical and flamboyant source. Whilst it shared its neoclassical roots with many of its contemporary movements, the Regency revival celebrated decoration and rich ornamentation. Championed by figures such as Edward James, Syrie Maugham and Charles de Beistegui in Europe, and embraced by Hollywood and American decorators including Dorothy Draper and Billy Haimes, the style was reactionary in its own way, as Christopher Hussey described in an article in Country Life in 1931: “There is felt to be something ‘daring’ about having a taste for the Regency period, something that makes friends murmur ‘ho w exciting’ or raise their eyebrows slightly.”
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