A substance made by combining mashed paper with glue and other hardening agents, so that, when dry, it can be cut, shaped and even carved. Invented in the 18th century, papier mache was at first used for small items such as snuffboxes and fans. With an improvement in techniques, it was used in the second quarter of the 19th century for a variety of household furnishings chairs, small tables, fire screens, coal scuttles, trays, inkstands and so on. It was frequently gilded and painted with flowers, fruits and rather sentimental scenes, and commonly inset with mother-of-pearl to achieve more...

The company of Jennens & Bettridge, in operation from around 1815 to 1864 were the pre-eminent manufacturers of papier mache wares, such as writing boxes, trays, fans and furniture such as chairs and small tables. Their wares usually featured painted decoration and was sometimes inlaid with mother of pearl, a process which the company invented and patented. They were based in Birmingham, but opened a branches in London and Paris.

Jennens & Bettridge were appointed Papier Mache Manufacturers to King George IV, William IV, and Prince Albert, and exhibited a variety of wares at the Great Exhibition in 1851.

Most papier more...

11 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

A rare Victorian Jennens & Bettridge hand painted tabletop,…

Victorian Hand Painted Table: Titian's 'Rape of Europa' Adaptation

A rare Victorian Jennens & Bettridge hand painted tabletop, finely painted with an adaption of Titian's 'Rape of Europa' circa 1560. Black lacquer back and edge with gilt scrolls. Impressed maker's mark to reverse. diameter 59 cm. Note: A similar table…

Lacquered trays, two mid 19th century English papier mache…

19th Century English Papier Mache Mother of Pearl Trays

Lacquered trays, two mid 19th century English papier mache trays, Jennens & Bettridge, with scalloped edges gold paint with, mother of pearl inlay, depicting a boat Coming into harbour, small 52 x 64 cm, large 63 x 80 cm

An early Victorian set of papier mache trinket boxes, Jennens &…

Victorian Peacock Papier Mache Trinket Boxes Set

An early Victorian set of papier mache trinket boxes, Jennens & Bettridge, London, circa 1840, the outer box decorated with a peacock in a landscape enclosing five similarly-decorated boxes, impressed marked underside, 5 cm high, 28.5 cm wide, 26 cm deep

Victorian papier mache letter holder, beautifully decorated…

Victorian Mother of Pearl Letter Holder by Jennens & Bettridge

Victorian papier mache letter holder, beautifully decorated with mother of pearl inlays and gilded foliate, marked to base Jennens and Bettridge

A Victorian writing slope made in papier mache and abalone…

Victorian Abalone Inlay Writing Slope

A Victorian writing slope made in papier mache and abalone shell inlay by Jennens & Bettridge decorated with roses bouquet and motifs in abalone and gilt finishing. 47 cm long and 28 cm wide. Books and documents

Tea caddy mid 19th century, Jennens and Bettridge, lacquer ware,…

Jennens and Bettridge Tea Caddy

Tea caddy mid 19th century, Jennens and Bettridge, lacquer ware, with gilt highlights, two compartments, height 16, width 26 cm

Work table mid 19th century, hand painted papier mache, with…

Hand-painted papier mache work table with mother of pearl inlay

Work table mid 19th century, hand painted papier mache, with mother of pearl inlay to top, in the manner of Jennens and Bettridge, height 78 cm, width 46 cm

A Victorian papier mache chair, ebonised finish and inlaid with…

Victorian Papier Mache Chair with Inlaid Mother-of-Pearl and Velvet

A Victorian papier mache chair, ebonised finish and inlaid with traditional mother-of-pearl and gilt decoration, upholstered green velvet seat, in the manner of Jennens and Bettridge.

Large early Victorian papier mache tray, with floral design on…

Victorian Papier Mache Tray by Jennens and Bettridge

Large early Victorian papier mache tray, with floral design on green ground, by Jennens and Bettridge, England, with makers mark to back, 68 cm x 51.5 cm, Purchased Delomosne, Kensington High St. 1977. Jennens and Bettridge (1815-1864) were highly…

Victorian Papier Mache and mother-of-pearl whatnot, c. 1860, in…

Victorian Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Whatnot

Victorian Papier Mache and mother-of-pearl whatnot, c. 1860, in the manner of Jennens and Bettridge, decorated with floral sprays, the shelves with Windsor Castle, mother-of-pearl and abalone inlay surrounded by a scrolling border with gilt highlights,…

Two 19th century papier mache trays, comprising a mother of…

Pair of 19th Century Papier Mache Trays

Two 19th century papier mache trays, comprising a mother of pearl inlaid tray with Taj Mahal scene, the other hand painted with a peacock scene, signed Jennens & Bettridge London Birm., approx. 26 cm diameter (loss to one handle)