September’s Item of the Month is a rare and remarkable graduated set of four late Regency apple green papier-mâché trays, circa 1830, each tray stamped ‘Jennens & Bettridge, London’.
Jennens and Bettridge were renowned for producing quality papier-mâché wares, circa 1815-1864. They were a partnership between Theodore Hyla Jennens, John Bettridge Snr., Aaron Jennens and John Bettridge Jnr.; and later only A. Jennens and J. Bettridge Jnr. They acquired the workshops of Henry Clay, Japanner to George III and the Prince of Wales in 1816. In 1825 they were described in the directories as ‘Japanners in Ordinary to His Majesty (George IV) and afterwards became ‘Makers to the Queen’. They were originally a Birmingham firm, opening a London branch at 3 West Halkin Street, Belgrave Square in 1837, followed by offices in Paris and New York. The firm employed highly skilled artists and designers, and spared no expense in the production of their goods to make them as near perfection as possible. Many examples of their work are in museums and private collections.
Papier-mâché trays of this period were produced in a number of colours, generally black, but also in red, blue and apple green, the latter, as in this set of trays, being the rarest.