Description
A highly decorative antique Chinese folding lacquer screen.
19th century, circa 1890.
Depicting Imperial figures in a landscape of rockwork, flowering trees and horses. Apparently showing confronting Mandarins in the process of negotiating a settlement, over an opened treasure chest on a horse-drawn chariot.
The reverse decorated with a landscape of trees, birds and peonies. The latter are of great symbolic significance in China. Sometimes referred to as “The King of Flowers” – the traditional flower symbol of China – peonies were valued in the ancient Imperial Chinese Palaces.
There is much use of semi-precious hard stones inlaid in the rockwork background, with animated faces beautifully carved in bone. Popular in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912).
This folding Chinese screen makes an attractive and interesting wall panel or room divider. Retaining vibrant colours.
In very good condition overall.
See a pair of late Qing Dynasty hard stone and bone decorated screens sold at Christies, New York, 19th Sept. 2007.
A similar elaborate Chinese hard stone four-fold screen is illustrated in ‘Mallett at Bourdon House’ London, 9th March 2007, and dated “Possibly Kangxi period”.
