Description

Beautiful custom made screen with inlaid pictures on the front that correspond to a scholarly poem on the reverse. All panels have a classical poem from the Song Dynasty’s poet Lu You, 陆游, with 28 characters each, the first panel “In the early spring, peach blossoms are everywhere, the sunset rays reflect the mountain scene, East Wind please hold your breath for the blossoms to last!” The front of the screen depicts scenes from the four seasons: February, spring, summer, late summer, fall, and winter. There are beautiful scenes of birds including: phoenix, robins, ducks, kingfishers and a crane, brown birds, and white breasted birds. The bottom of the screen has inlaid depictions of traditional chinese bronze vessels. The back of the screen is stamped with a different cartouche on each panel. The lower register has a beautiful scrolling pattern with lotus blooms and bats with peach branches in the corners, painted gold on black ground. Among the many materials used for inlay on the front of the screen are: persimmon wood, bone, agate, mother of pearl, abalone shell, and rose quartz. It measures 77″ tall 16.75″ wide 1.75″ deep.