Attention connoisseurs – this would certainly be THE highlight in your collection of Asian antiques! This exquisite six panel folding screen dates back to China in the 18th or 19th century of the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912).

 The show side of this lacquered masterpiece is inlaid with jade, soap stone, mother of pearl and a variety of other materials including Zitan and Huanghuali wood, creating the dense scenery of court ladies in a magnificent palace garden.

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COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: China.

DATE: 18th / 19th century in the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1912).

PROVENANCE: This screen was recently discovered in the estate of a noble family. It has been in this family for the last 55 years.

MATERIAL: Wood and lacquer. Metal hinges and pins, sheet brass overlays at the feet. Inlay materials include: soapstone, mother of pearl, jade, various kinds of wood including Zitan and Huanghuali, semi-precious stones and more. Some inlays are carved from Elephas maximus (please note: this is the Latin term for this kind of material, for a translation please e-mail us or check wikipedia).

MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUE: Very fine carving, lacquering and hand painting. Inlay work.

CONDITION: ORIGINAL as found condition with cracks, chipping and losses to the lacquer mainly along the rims. Most of the inlays are in perfect condition, some have rather minor defaults, very few have significant damages. Only very, very few of the inlays are missing. OVERALL CONDITION RATED 7 / 10. Please wait for all pictures to load as they illustrate the condition very accurately. For more information about our condition reports, please see our terms of business, as stated in the grey section of this listing.

SIZE: Total size when unfolded entirely is approx. 100 x 72inches. Size of each panel is 16 x 72 inches. (szasia0809 175sz)

SHIPPING: Shipping cost to the USA is US $ 992.50 to the next international airport near you including professional packing (US customs and duties not included). Shipping cost to Canada, New Zealand and Asia is US $ 1,492.50 to the next International airport near you including professional packing (customs and duties not included). Shipping cost within the EC (European Community and Switzerland) is US $ 792.50 door to door. Shipment cost to all other countries upon request. Insurance is required - please read our shipping terms stated in the grey section of this listing

This important and large six-panel folding screen of Chinese origin dates back to the 18th or 19th century and allows us a full view of court ladies in a palace garden.

First lacquered in black the individual panels were then hand painted in different lacquer hues including green, brown and gold. Archaic dragon borders build a framing for the individual imageries and the lower show sides all boast soapstone or jade embellishments with majestic horses.

Each panel boasts the portrayals of two or three court ladies undergoing various activities, sometimes accompanied by servants. Please take your time and browse through all the detail pictures - it is really worth to see the manifold of little scenes incorporated in this museum quality screen.

Most noticeable is the fact that the individual inlay parts have not only been exquisitely carved of a wide variety of materials, but in addition have also been embellished by fine hand painting of an exciting charm and quality. All in all this is a rarely seen level of craftsmanship found on exposure here!

Eventually the backside is completing the precious appearance of this fine piece of traditional Chinese furniture. It is exquisitely lacquered with nature sceneries of birds and flowers.

If you have an exquisite taste and love Chinese art and furniture, this piece might be a dream coming true!

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Good luck in bidding and please take the time to look at my other auctions on Ebay. Please e-mail me with any questions - I'll be happy to answer.