Description

Gilt leather panel

Silvered leather, gilded with “mecca” varnish, embossed and painted
Manufacture: Netherlands, 1740–1770

This Dutch leather panel originally formed part of a decorative wall covering. Made in the mid-18th century, it fully embodies the Rococo style through its elaborate scrollwork and sinuous floral forms known as rocaille. The composition is exceptionally rich and decorative, featuring a profusion of flowers—including the tulip—and fruits such as plums, cherries, and grapes. All the elements are painted in opulent, vibrant colours, ranging from shades of green, blue, and red to more delicate greys and browns.

To create a textured and three-dimensional effect, the leather was embossed by pressing a heated metal matrix bearing the rocaille design onto its surface. The ornamental scrolls were subsequently gilded with a yellowish varnish applied over a silvered ground, thereby simulating the appearance of gold. The flowers, fruits, and foliage were then hand-painted with refined veining and chiaroscuro effects, enhancing their naturalism and sense of depth.

Related works
Only a few examples of this decorative pattern are known, preserved at the Deutsches Ledermuseum, the Municipal Museum of Zwolle, a private collection in Belgium, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Museu de la Pell de Vic (Barcelona).

Period: 18th century, 1740–1770

Dimensions: 55 × 68 cm

Manufacture: Netherlands

Provenance: Private collection