"Egrets Beneath Tall Grass" Gilt Four-Panel Screen

Used to partition a room and block unpleasant drafts, the standing screen has long been a fixture of Chinese and Japanese interiors. Carefully placed to instill harmony, a tall screen offered privacy and provided an expansive surface for fine paintings.

Likely intended for Western markets, this early 20th century standing screen is comprised of four wooden panels cloaked in black lacquer, and simulates Japanese paper byobu screens with a backdrop of brilliant gold pigment. The four panel screen is decorated with a tranquil scene of white egrets gathered beneath gently swaying tall grasses.

This screen is fitted with alternating hinges and stands upright without supports.