Vintage four-panel Chinoiserie painted screen on board.

Folding screens, also known as room dividers or by their Japanese name 'byōbu', have a long history dating back to ancient China. Initially used in imperial palaces, they evolved into decorative and functional pieces for homes, serving to partition spaces, provide privacy, or shield from drafts. Their portability and artistic versatility made them popular across Asia and later in the West, often featuring intricate paintings of landscapes, historical events, or daily life. Chinoiserie, a French style that became popular in the 18th century, involved the imitation and adaptation of Chinese artistic motifs and techniques by European artists. This often resulted in fantastical interpretations of Chinese culture, incorporating elements like pagodas, dragons, and figures in traditional dress, applied to furniture, decorative arts, and screens. Such pieces were highly fashionable and sought after by European aristocracy, blending Eastern aesthetics with Western design sensibilities.

Condition

Used (normal wear)

Color

Beige

Original Or Reproduction

Antique original