LES THÈMES
Exquisite Mother of Pearl & Lacquer Wall Panel Set
Originally forming part of a larger Chinese folding screen, this elegant set of four lacquer panels has been thoughtfully divided into individual compositions, allowing each scene to be appreciated as its own work while retaining the harmony of the original decorative program. Each panel is executed in polished black lacquer and framed by a finely inlaid mother-of-pearl border. At their centers are four distinct compositions inspired by the natural world, meticulously assembled from individually hand-carved pieces of mother-of-pearl. Every leaf, blossom, bird, and butterfly has been carefully shaped, engraved, and inlaid by hand, resulting in an extraordinary level of refinement rarely appreciated until viewed up close.
One panel depicts chrysanthemums visited by delicate butterflies, another captures lotus leaves and flowering water lilies animated by birds in flight. A third presents blossoming magnolia branches accompanied by swallows, while the fourth depicts flowering plum branches with songbirds amongst bamboo foliage. Together, the scenes evoke the elegance and symbolism long associated with traditional Chinese decorative arts.
What distinguishes this set is the remarkable quality of the inlay. Fine engraved feathering, individually incised stamens, subtle veining within each leaf, and delicately modelled blossoms reveal the hand of a highly skilled artisan. Rather than relying solely on silhouette, each element has been over-painted to create depth and texture, lending the compositions an illustrated quality. The shell itself displays exceptional natural variation. Soft ivory transitions into gentle blush pinks, pale celadon greens, and silvery blue undertones, creating a quiet luminosity that shifts beautifully as the light moves across the surface. Against the rich black lacquer ground, the iridescence becomes especially striking without ever feeling ostentatious.
Beatuifully versatile, the four panels may be displayed together as a balanced square, arranged vertically to accentuate the height of a narrow wall or hallway, installed horizontally above a console or bed, or incorporated individually throughout the home as a cohesive decorative series. A refined collection with an interesting story that combines the elegance of traditional Chinese craftsmanship with remarkable flexibility for contemporary interiors.
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Product Details
Material: Lacquered Wood, Mother-of-Pearl
Vintage Condition: Good with Slight Patina Typical of Age
Origin & Era: China, Mid 20th-Century
Dimensions: 39cm L x 35.8cm W x 2.2cm H
Weight: ca 1.35 kg each
Curated as part of Les Thèmes ‘Nacre Interlude’ collection, July 2026.
LES THÈMES
Exquisite Mother of Pearl & Lacquer Wall Panel Set
Originally forming part of a larger Chinese folding screen, this elegant set of four lacquer panels has been thoughtfully divided into individual compositions, allowing each scene to be appreciated as its own work while retaining the harmony of the original decorative program. Each panel is executed in polished black lacquer and framed by a finely inlaid mother-of-pearl border. At their centers are four distinct compositions inspired by the natural world, meticulously assembled from individually hand-carved pieces of mother-of-pearl. Every leaf, blossom, bird, and butterfly has been carefully shaped, engraved, and inlaid by hand, resulting in an extraordinary level of refinement rarely appreciated until viewed up close.
One panel depicts chrysanthemums visited by delicate butterflies, another captures lotus leaves and flowering water lilies animated by birds in flight. A third presents blossoming magnolia branches accompanied by swallows, while the fourth depicts flowering plum branches with songbirds amongst bamboo foliage. Together, the scenes evoke the elegance and symbolism long associated with traditional Chinese decorative arts.
What distinguishes this set is the remarkable quality of the inlay. Fine engraved feathering, individually incised stamens, subtle veining within each leaf, and delicately modelled blossoms reveal the hand of a highly skilled artisan. Rather than relying solely on silhouette, each element has been over-painted to create depth and texture, lending the compositions an illustrated quality. The shell itself displays exceptional natural variation. Soft ivory transitions into gentle blush pinks, pale celadon greens, and silvery blue undertones, creating a quiet luminosity that shifts beautifully as the light moves across the surface. Against the rich black lacquer ground, the iridescence becomes especially striking without ever feeling ostentatious.
Beatuifully versatile, the four panels may be displayed together as a balanced square, arranged vertically to accentuate the height of a narrow wall or hallway, installed horizontally above a console or bed, or incorporated individually throughout the home as a cohesive decorative series. A refined collection with an interesting story that combines the elegance of traditional Chinese craftsmanship with remarkable flexibility for contemporary interiors.
—
Product Details
Material: Lacquered Wood, Mother-of-Pearl
Vintage Condition: Good with Slight Patina Typical of Age
Origin & Era: China, Mid 20th-Century
Dimensions: 39cm L x 35.8cm W x 2.2cm H
Weight: ca 1.35 kg each
Curated as part of Les Thèmes ‘Nacre Interlude’ collection, July 2026.
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