Folding Fire Screen with Prints

Dateca. 1769

MediumMahogany, primary; oak and yellow pine secondary; prints on rag paper

DimensionsOH: 42 3/4" OW: 74"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, The Sara and Fred Hoyt Furniture Fund

Object number2014-27

DescriptionAPPEARANCE: hinged four-leaf folding fire screen; each panel contains an uncolored print representing one of the four seasons and mounted on linen; all rails and stiles bead molded on inner edge; each panel has one stretcher; legs square in cross section. CONSTRUCTION: all parts of mahogany except as noted; stiles tenoned into top rails; lower rails and stretchers tenoned into stiles; prints and linen mounted to oak and yellow pine stretchers that float in rabbeted edges of mahogany stiles and rails; stretcher frames for prints secured with mahogany molding sprigged in place; each leaf joined by two butt hinges.
Label TextThis folding screen has a history of having been owned by Lord Botetourt when he was the Royal Governor of Virginia. According to the tradition of the Young family of Norfolk, in which the screen descended, it was purchased by James Young at the sale of Lord Botetourt's effects after his death. Young was the King's attorney in Virginia during the Revolution. Lord Botetourt's name, the date 1768, and the name Mr. T. R. Young (in a different hand) are inscribed into the top rail of the screen. The prints set into this screen are probably early 19th century imprints that replaced earlier prints or maps. This may be one of the "3 fire Screens with maps on both sides" that Lord Botetourt ordered from London cabinetmaker William Fenton in 1769.
InscribedCarved into the top of one rail "Botetourt 1768 Lord Botetourt"
Carved into the top of another crest rail "Mr. T. R. Young". The bottom of the g is on a different (non-original) crest rail that is no longer lined up in the correct orientation (ie the crest rails have been rearranged.)
ProvenanceAccording to tradition, the screen was purchased by James Young of Norfolk at the sale of Lord Botetourt's effects. Young was the King's attorney in Virginia during the Revolution. The screen descended to another James Young, then to his son Thomas R. Young, then to his James Young, assistant superintendant of Mount Vernon, who sold it to Kenmore.