Byōbu folding screen - Paper, Wood, gold leaf

Six-fold Screen with Japanese Cranes over Waves\r
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Japan, ca. 1930’s\r
171 x 372 cm \r
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A beautiful large-sized 6-panel byobu (屏風) , or folding screen, depicting a flock of red-crowned cranes on a gold-leaf background flying over waves. Amidst the foaming waves a small rock indicating that the cranes are flying close to the shore. \r
Based on the traditional Japanese painting style of the Kano-school where cranes are often depicted along a shore of a lake, the anonymous painter has created depth by using different sizes of cranes. On the other hand, the spectator is pulled in by the vibrant way of painting the waves and central rock. \r
The red-crowned or Japanese crane ( 丹頂鶴, Tancho-zuru) , also called the Manchurian crane, is one of the rarest cranes in the world. It has been a returning motif in Japanese art as it is believed that the Japanese crane has a lifespan of a thousand years, thus making it a symbol of luck, longevity, and fidelity. \r
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Condition: good condition for its age, showing minor traces of wear and some irregularities near the folds. \r
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#roaringtwenties\r