Featured Damaged Decoupaged Victorian Screen. Restoration ideas?

Hi there,

I've inherited a very damaged Victorian changing screen. As a functioning screen, i would say its beyond repair, but there are still some great details - as you can see in the photos.

I'm thinking that as a functioning screen its probably beyond repair, unless i added modern decoupage elements and created some kind of monstrous historic/modern mash-up. lol ...or to cut out sections, restore them and frame them?

Any thoughts on what to do to this piece and/or how to restore faded, yellowing decoupage like this would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Rob

 

So, from what I'm seeing, has someone already done decoupage repair on at least one panel?? And if I'm guessing correctly, it is two sided?? It's paper, not fabric, correct??? Just asking a few questions first! I think it would/could be a decent sized project, but also if committed to it, could be done! That one panel...looks like it has linen on it....so that would have been covered with the prints??? Obviously I'm a bit out of my 'wheelhouse' here, not having actually DONE a restoration of this sort, but seeing possibilities, what with some images having been cut out and "pasted" on other panels????

 

Edwardian - that's King Edward VII and Queen Alexandria

You could always seek out some inexpensive chromos and "patch" it with your own work.

Making screens like this was hobby work throughout the 19th century. Beau Brummel reputedly spent part of his time in Caen working on such a screen (and he died in 1840).

 

Who did I learn on an old episode of UK Antiques Roadshow had one? Hum.... I remember! Lord Byron (of all people) and its theme was boxing.

Debora

 

This reference is a bit earlier than Edward VII but I couldn't resist:

“It is amazing to me,” said Bingley, “how young ladies can have patience to be so very accomplished as they all are. . . . They all paint tables, cover screens, and net purses.” —Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

 

That's wonderful! A line I don't remember.

Debora

 

Yes, paper on a wood and fabric/linen frame. The paper images have been glued directly to the fabric.

 

Ah-ha. I stand corrected! Thanks for pointing that out. Thanks. Interesting also about Beau Brummel.

 

Great boxing screen by Lord Byron. Pugilistic decoupage! I've actually tried my hand at decoupage myself - and decoupaged a guitar a few years ago. I'll post pics at the end of this thread.

 

Great illustration and quote!

 

Decoupage is such an interesting craft, isn't it? A mix of the commercial with the personal and the eye selects.

Debora

 

As promised some pics of a guitar i 'decoupaged'. I call it the "Safety Guitar" as all the pics are from a safety supply catalogue. Destined to be an antique someday. Enjoy?! lol

 

https://www.decoupage.org/home/history-of-decoupage

 

I would probably do something crazy like try to make the most damaged section look like whatever was fashionable previously was still underneath.