Large Elaborately Carved Chinese Window With Auspicious Symbols

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in the late 1990's while sourcing for architectural artifacts in South China, we came upon a group of beautifully crafted … Read more in the late 1990's while sourcing for architectural artifacts in South China, we came upon a group of beautifully crafted objects that were contrary to our goal of finding antique window panels. We found a factory that produced large finely carved window panels. They were styled after old traditions but with more innovations that could not be achieved without the help of modern technology.
This panel is one of the pieces complete with a "peekaboo" window. The construction of the panel is clearly visible in the images of the back where individual panels are fitted together in the large rectangular frame. The central pieces have a figural theme - figures situated in a garden, one playing a qin, a scholar under a tree accompanied by a youthful attendant, and two ladies with elaborate hairdos playing a game of "go." On the very top panel are three auspicious characters - Good Fortune, Rank, and Longevity. The word Rank may seem foreign and it deserves an explanation. China does not have a Caste system. During the time of dynastic China, an average person could achieve a higher position in society by studying hard and passing examinations in order to achieve positions in government. As a personal injection here, rank in our modern society has been outclassed by wealth. But in Chinese society, perhaps even now, Rank is still important. Finally the third character Longevity is easily understood. So for the Chinese, happiness comes in the form of good fortune, rank and a long life.

The panel is solidly constructed and the fine carvings are intact. The two center panels open and are kept in place by a wooden toggle. See less