Table Screen China, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722) lacquer, mother-of-pearl, gold and wood, 26 x 40 inches (66 x 101.6 cm) Anonymous gift 1978.130 Zoom in on Table Screen

The richness of the inlay work, whick glimmers against the lacquer surfaces when stuck by light, is appropriate to the scenes of palace life depicted on this ornate table screen. The back of each panel is inscribed with poems about The Romance of the Western Chamber, one of China's favorite love stories. Each poem is written with inlaid mother-of-pearl. Bearing auspicious symbols in delicate openwork, the carved frame uses the simple beauty of natural wood to complement the decorated panels.


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