W. G. de Kesel, G Dhont
Coromandel: Lacquer Screens.
Printed by Snoeck-Ducaju & Zoon, Gent, England, 2002. First edition. 9053493816 107 pages.
Large-format hardcover volume, measuring approximately 12" x 12", is in fine condition, with firm binding, clean and bright interior.
"Although almost all museums with a major Oriental art collection own a Coromandel screen, no monograph has so far been dedicated to that theme. During our research we studied about two hundred illustrations of Coromandel screens currently held in collections around the world. With such a broad study base, we felt we had to look into their stylistic evolution. As most Coromandel screens are undated and we were only familiar with a few post-Kangxi period dated screens, it proved impossible to carry out a thorough stylistic study, but we have tried to highlight a number of common characteristics of late 18th and 19th century screens. Since a stylistic study of this lacquer technique was previously unexplored territory, the views presented in this book are not intended as the last word on Coromandel lacquer, but instead to encourage about it." (Opening paragraph of authors' foreword)