Attributed to Peter Waals a walnut fire screen

dated '1926', English, the screen embellished with a calligraphic rendering of Lady Celia Congreve's 'The Firewood Poem', signed and dated, signed and dated, 63.5cm wide, 25cm deep, 76.2cm high, The transcription for the poem, which was written on or before 1926, inscribed on the fire screen is as follows: 'Beechwood fires are bright and clear, If the logs are kept a year. Oaken logs burn steadily If the wood is old and dry. But Ash dry or Ash green Makes a fire fit for a Queen. Logs of birchwood burn too fast - There's a fire that will not last. Chestnut’s only good, they say, If for long ’tis laid away. But Ash new or Ash old, Is fit for a Queen with crown of gold. Poplar gives a bitter smoke - Fills your eyes and makes you choke. It is by the Irish said, Hawthorn bakes the sweetest bread. But Ash green or Ash brown, Is fit for a Queen with golden crown. Elm wood burns like churchyard mould - E’en the very flames are cold. Apple wood will fill your room, With an incense-like perfume. But Ash wet or Ash dry, For a Queen to warm her slippers by.' A similar version of the poem was published in The Times on 2 March 1930. Condition Report, Condition Report, Overall the screen appears in good order. With some slight surface marks and scratches to the wood, particularly to the feet commensurate with use and age. Part of the decoration has faded slightly commensurate with use and age. There is a slight gap to the join at the top right hand corner and the board does have an approximate 1-2mm gap from the frame on the right hand side. Otherwise structurally sound. Request A Condition Report, Request A Condition Report

Estimate:£300

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