4 Inlaid Black Lacquer Wall Panels
36 x 12 inches. A set of four vertical rectangular wall panels constructed of wood with a polished black lacquer finish. The decorative program utilizes a combination of high-relief applied figures and low-relief gilded and painted architectural and landscape elements. The figural scenes are rendered in various applied materials including mother of pearl and colored hardstones such as soapstone. The panels depict a series of traditional Chinese narrative vignettes within garden settings. One panel features two female figures near a pavilion with fretwork railings. A second panel depicts a man carrying a lantern and a woman traversing a landscape with pine trees; the lantern is decorated with a red character. A third panel shows a male figure in official robes alongside a female figure holding a fan beneath a willow tree. The final panel displays a female figure with a handheld fan and a younger attendant near a garden pavilion. The upper portions of each panel are decorated with stylized mountains and clouds in gold paint, while the lower sections feature floral sprigs and rockwork. Each panel is enclosed within a repeating geometric and floral border in gilt. Each panel is fitted with a decorative brass hanger at the top featuring a stylized fretwork design. The reverse of the panels is finished in black and bears various white chalk-like marks, including the character for the number eight "?" and other directional strokes. No maker's marks or signatures are present.
[ translate ]36 x 12 inches. A set of four vertical rectangular wall panels constructed of wood with a polished black lacquer finish. The decorative program utilizes a combination of high-relief applied figures and low-relief gilded and painted architectural and landscape elements. The figural scenes are rendered in various applied materials including mother of pearl and colored hardstones such as soapstone. The panels depict a series of traditional Chinese narrative vignettes within garden settings. One panel features two female figures near a pavilion with fretwork railings. A second panel depicts a man carrying a lantern and a woman traversing a landscape with pine trees; the lantern is decorated with a red character. A third panel shows a male figure in official robes alongside a female figure holding a fan beneath a willow tree. The final panel displays a female figure with a handheld fan and a younger attendant near a garden pavilion. The upper portions of each panel are decorated with stylized mountains and clouds in gold paint, while the lower sections feature floral sprigs and rockwork. Each panel is enclosed within a repeating geometric and floral border in gilt. Each panel is fitted with a decorative brass hanger at the top featuring a stylized fretwork design. The reverse of the panels is finished in black and bears various white chalk-like marks, including the character for the number eight "?" and other directional strokes. No maker's marks or signatures are present.
[ translate ]
