Rare Books and Manuscripts N7433.4.C63 C63 1820Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Fund
Copyright Status:
Copyright Not Evaluated
Classification:
Three-Dimensional Artifacts
Notes:
Restricted fragile material. Use requires permission of the Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts.Early 19th century English handmade cobweb three-dimensional watercolor. Consists of a watercolor illustration of a country home, executed on an intricately cut circular piece of paper. The circular illustration is threaded at its center with a small string and mounted, around its outer rim only, to a thick paper base. By lifting the center of the watercolor by the attached thread, the lattice cuts open (with a cobweb effect) revealing a watercolor picture underneath, which here depicts three white mice. A pair of couplets are written on the base (one above the cobweb, one below), reading: This wire fenced mansion Monsieur Souris's Hall / Is now for sale, and may be view'd by all / Lift up the latch, and peep into the house / But mind with caution, lest you scare a mouse." Such cobwebs designs were also known as beehives and birdcages, and were popular in their printed form as valentine cards in 19th century England.
Subject Terms:
Architecture, Domestic -- Great Britain. | Paper work -- Specimens. | Mice -- Pictorial works.