Fun scarf which would make a very nice present.
of rayon, with jugglers in chinese dress performing on tightropes and steps, a monkey balancing a bird in a hoop, a jaguar prancing, fishermen in a boat, all in shades of mauve, emerald green, yellow on white ground, a deep green border, 29 in; 74 cm sq.
Very good
*http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O77523/print-pillement-jean-baptiste/. The print can be seen in the British Galleries 52d.
Ever since the various East India Companies had begun to introduce porcelain and other exotic oriental goods to Europe in the 17th century, East Asia had fascinated Europeans. The curving foliage ladder is a typically French Rococo shape and recalls so-called Grotesques (decorative patterns full of sinuous lines, cloudy foliage, monkeys, sphinxes and other fancies) by the French master Jean Bérain (1639-1711). The wispy pavilion seemingly suspended in space, the monkey and cup of tea balanced on a branch, a Chinese man teetering on a C-shaped scroll, these are all characteristic of Berain's work and suggest a fantastic, airy world, one that the artist delighted in portraying.
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