C. 1970s Japanese Style Painted Silk Screen "Eight Red-Crowned Cranes"

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Description

Stunning 4-Panel Japanese Style painted folding silk screen depicts a graceful scene with Eight Red-Crowned Cranes on a rich, shimmering … Read more Stunning 4-Panel Japanese Style painted folding silk screen depicts a graceful scene with Eight Red-Crowned Cranes on a rich, shimmering gold background. A bold, deep navy horizontal stream anchors the birds, evoking the minimalist abstraction characteristic of the classical Rinpa School style. Overhanging branches of white plum blossoms add seasonal elegance and contrast. Unsigned. Watercolor, gouache and ink on silk over paper on boards. Silk border. Lacquered black wood frame with beautifully engraved copper corners, plaques and medallions. Paper, a label and four Asian style brass hangers on back. The hangers are attached upside down for safe delivery. They can be easily taken off and put back on upside up. Hong Kong, circa 1970s. Nearly Excellent condition - minimal age wear overall, minimal staining, some discoloration on silk border (not visible on the images, but we can provide large photos of these small imperfections via Chairish Customer Service by your request), strong hinges, clean, sturdy. Very well made piece.

Overall fully unfolded (without hangers) 71.70"W x 0.85"D x 36"H
Overall fully unfolded (with hangers) 71.70"W x 0.85"D x 37.20"H

Previous owner of this screen believed that there are hidden hand-painted workshop assembly marks integrated directly into the anatomical shading lines of the cranes' beaks, and provided the following information:

The Decoded Left-to-Right Layout Sequence:
Panel 1 (Far Left): Features the character 「一」 (Ichi)—the clear number "One" to kick off the sequence.
Panel 2 (Center Left): Marked with 「大」 (Dai - Large) for the primary body cluster, and 「天」 (Ten - Heaven) for the tall crane stretching its beak straight upward past the water boundary.
Panel 3 (Center Right): Hand-brushed with the character 「不」 (Fu)—a specialized classification and tracking indicator traditionally used in Japanese artisan studios to organize complex sets—alongside matching 「大」 (Dai) notations for the cluster.
Panel 4 (Far Right): Left intentionally blank, which is historically standard for the final piece in a matching workshop series once the preceding panels are anchored.

The previous owner also believed that this screen was made in Japan.

I believe that this screen was very well made in Hong Kong. There is a small oval label mark on the paper label on the back, of the size of "Made in Hong Kong" labels. But the lacquered wood frame and engraved copper corners, plaques and medallions look like those on Japanese screens from Kyoto. Yes, this is not lightweight screen and the painting is mounted on boards, like on all pieces made in Hong Kong. See less