Pair of Intricately Carved Fine Architectural Window Screens with Auspicious Symbols refinished in blond thick lacquer finish. 17-18th century.

The latticework on these pair of screens is composed of a character of a "Double-Happiness, 喜喜" and other patterns. The latticework is composed by building two horizontal rails across and in between a thin frame inside the outer broader frame, forming the similar squares at the top and the bottom with a stylized square and U type of key shape. Then two more horizontal rails were built to form part of the "double-Happiness" character which is also built on lots of small squares. All of the lattice work is connected by wood pegs, with small intricate and well carved small ornaments of auspicious fruits, flowers, and more characters of "Fu, 福， Blessing" and "Shou, 壽， Longevity", as well as Ruyi and other symbols, fitted into the latticework design also by wood pegs. (The photo of the character shown on the newsletter is Fu, blessing.) The wood for the entire latticework is made of the precious Jin-Si-Nan-Mu (金絲楠木）, a rare species of exotic blonde fine Chinese wood with delicate grain that is iridescent。The small carved panels at the bottoms of these screens also boast a carver's masterful skill in carving with animals that look like rams and a rooster (on one screen) with flower and vegetation. These window screens with exceptionally well carved and rare motives are definitely among the best examples to add to one's special collection of Chinese art in woodwork!

Dimensions for each screen: 14 3/8" W x 44 1/4" H x 1 3/4" D

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