Antique Architectural Artifact - Wood Panel With Carving of Orchids

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The old wood panel is a carving of an orchid plant - a phalaenopsis, a leafy plant. When grown in … Read more The old wood panel is a carving of an orchid plant - a phalaenopsis, a leafy plant. When grown in the right conditions, it is very prolific and sends out long shoots with many blooms. The panel was an insert into a larger frame. Since the design is horizontal, it could have been in the transom, above the tall door panels. The illustration of an orchid growing out of craggy rocks is a popular them in Chinese Paintings. Here the idea is executed as a carving on wood. It is a rare occurrence. The carving did a very lifelike orchid plant with sprays of leaves and two clumps of orchid flowers. The rocks have an abstract quality to it, hiding two tiny sprigs of plum blossoms. The Chinese highly prized Plum Blossoms, Orchids, Chrysanthemums and Bamboo - plants representing the Four Seasons. This is a pairing of Orchids and Plum Blossoms. The orchid is framed on four sides by bands of delicate raised carving of floral scrolls. The designs are soft and delicate, a nice contrast to the bold carving of the orchid. I admire the artistic quality of this panel, hung high above the doorway, easily missed by many who lacked aesthetics appreciation. But not I, it is a beautiful piece of art presented on wood and I highly treasure it.

There are many window and door panels, thus regional styles can be observed. This particular style of carving on a solid piece of wood may possibly came from Henan or Hebei in Central China.

When Urban sprawl and infrastructure building reached ancient Chinese cities and villages in the 1980's, old buildings were demolished in favor of growth. Chinese entrepreneurs found trading architecture artifacts a lucrative business, as intricate window and door panels found a second life as decorative objects at home and abroad. When the demand exceeded the supply, thievery were rampant in sacking historical preserved homes. The government stepped in and as of the early years of this century, the exportation of Chinese architectural artifacts were banned. Punishment was severe, leading to stiff fines, confiscation of containers of goods and cancellations of export licenses. UNESCO preserved several old cities and if one should visit Salem MA, one can visit Yu Tang, a late Qing dynasty merchants' home was originally located in southeastern China and re-erected at the Peabody Essex Museum. Yin Yu Tang opens to the public in June 2003 and the original door and window panels are on display. See less