Chinese Export Style Gilt & Black Lacquer Decorated Table or Fire Screen

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This Chinese export style lacquered table or fire screen exemplifies the refined artistry of Chinese craftsmanship, featuring an intricate gilt-painted … Read more This Chinese export style lacquered table or fire screen exemplifies the refined artistry of Chinese craftsmanship, featuring an intricate gilt-painted scene set against a deep black background. The panel is adorned with a finely detailed landscape depicting a traditional pagoda-style pavilion nestled among stylized trees, rocky outcroppings, and rolling hills, evoking the idyllic serenity of classical Chinese garden design. The composition is meticulously rendered, with delicate brushwork capturing the natural harmony and poetic elegance characteristic of traditional Chinese decorative arts.

The surrounding frame is lavishly embellished with an ornate border of gilt floral and geometric motifs, each detail enhancing the screen’s overall opulence. The scalloped side panels and sturdy, angular feet provide structural integrity while contributing to the piece’s aesthetic balance, reinforcing its function as both a decorative and practical object. Likely dating from the Qing Dynasty or inspired by that period’s artistic traditions, this table screen reflects the sophisticated techniques of Chinese lacquerware, where multiple layers of lacquer are painstakingly applied and polished to achieve a smooth, lustrous finish.

Such screens were often used as decorative partitions, placed on scholars’ desks or in elegant interiors to showcase fine artistry while also serving a functional role in shielding drafts or providing privacy. This particular example, with its gilded surface and harmonious landscape, would have been a statement of refined taste, embodying the timeless beauty and philosophical ideals of Chinese artistic traditions. Today, it stands as a testament to the enduring allure of antique Chinese lacquerware, a striking piece that bridges the past with the present through its masterful craftsmanship and timeless aesthetic.

Measures: 34 w x 13.75" d x 30.25" h. See less