LES THÈMES
Vintage Mother-of-Pearl & Lacquer Chinese Folding Screen
This finely executed four-panel paravent is a mid-century work of art produced in China, distinguished by its exceptional use of hand-applied lacquer and intricately worked mother-of-pearl inlay. Finished in a softly reflective black, the surface has a beautiful and deep richness. The front presents a more structured and classical composition, unfolding across the panels as a series of intimate, ceremonial scenes. Elegantly robed figures gather in moments of ritual—one seated at a low table, another standing with a wind instrument, others in conversation. These vignettes are set within a delicately rendered landscape: architectural pavilions with upturned eaves, slender bridges, and finely drawn trees with warm, rust-toned foliage. The scenes feel suspended in space, emerging softly from the dark lacquer ground.
What distinguishes this screen is the remarkable quality of its mother-of-pearl work. The figures, vessels, and decorative motifs are not only inlaid but subtly sculpted, giving them dimensionality. The material catches the light with a soft sheen—bringing a sense of life and movement to the composition. Lower panels feature circular reserves containing symbolic objects—vessels, instruments, and scholar’s items—rendered with the same precision and restraint. In contrast, the reverse reveals a more relaxed and romantic sensibility. Here, the composition opens into elongated panels of flowering branches—magnolia, blossom, and bamboo—painted in muted tones and gently traced in gold. The palette is softer, more atmospheric, with a fluidity that feels painterly. This duality—structured narrative on one side, lyrical abstraction on the other—gives the piece a remarkable versatility, allowing it to shift in character depending on its placement.
The screen is joined by brass hinges and retains a beautiful feeling of balance and proportion. The condition is excellent for its age, with the lacquer surface richly intact and the inlay well preserved. There are only minimal, honest signs of age, consistent with a piece of this period.
For scale reference, the screen has been photographed in a room with a ceiling height of 3 meters. Due to the size and weight of this piece, shipping is quoted upon request.
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Product Details
Materials: Lacquered MDF, Brass
Vintage Condition: Very Good with Light Patina
Origin & Era: China, Early to Mid 20th-Century
Total Dimensions: ca 166cm W x 183cm H
Panel Dimensions: 40.5cm W x 182.5cm H
Panel Thickness: 2cm
Curated as part of Les Thèmes ‘Printemps’ collection, April 2026.
LES THÈMES
Vintage Mother-of-Pearl & Lacquer Chinese Folding Screen
This finely executed four-panel paravent is a mid-century work of art produced in China, distinguished by its exceptional use of hand-applied lacquer and intricately worked mother-of-pearl inlay. Finished in a softly reflective black, the surface has a beautiful and deep richness. The front presents a more structured and classical composition, unfolding across the panels as a series of intimate, ceremonial scenes. Elegantly robed figures gather in moments of ritual—one seated at a low table, another standing with a wind instrument, others in conversation. These vignettes are set within a delicately rendered landscape: architectural pavilions with upturned eaves, slender bridges, and finely drawn trees with warm, rust-toned foliage. The scenes feel suspended in space, emerging softly from the dark lacquer ground.
What distinguishes this screen is the remarkable quality of its mother-of-pearl work. The figures, vessels, and decorative motifs are not only inlaid but subtly sculpted, giving them dimensionality. The material catches the light with a soft sheen—bringing a sense of life and movement to the composition. Lower panels feature circular reserves containing symbolic objects—vessels, instruments, and scholar’s items—rendered with the same precision and restraint. In contrast, the reverse reveals a more relaxed and romantic sensibility. Here, the composition opens into elongated panels of flowering branches—magnolia, blossom, and bamboo—painted in muted tones and gently traced in gold. The palette is softer, more atmospheric, with a fluidity that feels painterly. This duality—structured narrative on one side, lyrical abstraction on the other—gives the piece a remarkable versatility, allowing it to shift in character depending on its placement.
The screen is joined by brass hinges and retains a beautiful feeling of balance and proportion. The condition is excellent for its age, with the lacquer surface richly intact and the inlay well preserved. There are only minimal, honest signs of age, consistent with a piece of this period.
For scale reference, the screen has been photographed in a room with a ceiling height of 3 meters. Due to the size and weight of this piece, shipping is quoted upon request.
—
Product Details
Materials: Lacquered MDF, Brass
Vintage Condition: Very Good with Light Patina
Origin & Era: China, Early to Mid 20th-Century
Total Dimensions: ca 166cm W x 183cm H
Panel Dimensions: 40.5cm W x 182.5cm H
Panel Thickness: 2cm
Curated as part of Les Thèmes ‘Printemps’ collection, April 2026.
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