1364 - Peacocks. Two paper peacocks for use as wall or party decorations, circa 1900. Neck, head, and feet are chromolithographed; the body is made of paper folded into a lantern shape in rainbow colors; the tail is painted on red or green crepe paper and accented with mica. Mounted on a die-cut cardboard backing that folds in the center; on the reverse, a handle or wall mount made of cardboard with flexible metal tabs for fastening. Approx. 54 x 45 cm.

Peacocks. Two paper peacocks for use as wall or party decorations, circa 1900. Neck, head, and feet are chromolithographed; the body is made of paper folded into a lantern shape in rainbow colors; the tail is painted on red or green crepe paper and accented with mica. Mounted on a die-cut cardboard backing that folds in the center; on the reverse, a handle or wall mount made of cardboard with flexible metal tabs for fastening. Approx. 54 x 45 cm. Private or publisher-commissioned pieces; the chromolithographed parts were cut out from a picture sheet or children’s book. The two paper peacocks are colorful, double-sided, printed, and die-cut wall or party decorations made of thin cardboard, which were very common around 1900 as “paper decorations” or “hall decorations” for living rooms, banquet halls, and Christmas trees. The body of each peacock is constructed as a honeycomb-like fan structure made of tissue paper, which was unfolded for use; the tail and base are flat-printed, allowing the figure to be hung on a wall or door or set upright. In terms of motifs and printing techniques, they correspond to the typical repertoire of the major German picture sheet and paper ornament publishers of that time. Based on their style, color palette (vibrant aniline dyes, gold accents), lithographic execution, and the characteristic peacock motif, they can most plausibly be attributed to the production of J. F. Schreiber in Esslingen, who, around 1890–1910, published numerous similarly constructed peacock, turkey, and rooster wall decorations with honeycomb paper bodies. Foldable to half size; the thin paper slats of the body close completely when folded. When unfolded, it can be secured and hung using the metal tabs (1 missing). — Edges show minor defects; mica is flaking off; otherwise, this lithographic ephemera is well-preserved. Peacocks. Two paper peacocks for wall or festive decoration, circa 1900. The neck, head, and feet are chromolithographed; the body is made of paper folded into a lantern-like shape in rainbow colors; the tail is painted on red or green crepe paper and highlighted with mica. Mounted on die-cut cardboard that folds in the middle; on the reverse, a handle or wall bracket made of cardboard with flexible metal fastening tabs. Private or commercial commissions involving the cutting out of chromolithographed sections from an illustration sheet or children’s book. The two paper peacocks are colorful, double-sided printed, and die-cut wall or party decorations made of thin cardboard—the kind that were very common around 1900 as “paper decorations” or “hall decorations” for living rooms, ballrooms, and Christmas trees. The body of each is formed as a honeycomb-like fan structure made of tissue paper, which was unfolded for use; the tail and base are printed flat, so that the figure could be hung on a wall or door or stood upright. In terms of motif and printing technique, they correspond to the typical range of the major German picture sheet and paper decoration publishers of the time. Judging by their style, color scheme (vibrant aniline dyes, gold accents), the execution of the lithography, and the characteristic peacock motif, they can most plausibly be attributed to the production of J. F. Schreiber in Esslingen, who, around 1890–1910, published numerous similarly constructed peacock, turkey, and rooster wall decorations with honeycomb paper bodies. Foldable to half size, the thin paper slats of the body close completely when folded. When unfolded, it can be secured and hung using the metal tabs (1 missing). - Edges with minor defects, flaking mica; otherwise, a well-preserved ephemera of the lithograph This lot is subject to standard taxation. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union. This work is subject to the standard tax regime. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints, and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.