Chinoiserie Painted Folding Screen / Coromandel Screen
Storage / Room Divider (Folding Screen) · Chinoiserie / Traditional Revival (Mid-20th Century) · Unmarked commercial decorative maker in the mid-to-late 20th-century Chinoiserie revival style.
Type
Storage / Room Divider (Folding Screen)
Style Period
Chinoiserie / Traditional Revival (Mid-20th Century)
Material
Wood core construction with heavy painted, lacquered, and textured faux-leather or heavily built-up gesso finish, accented with metal hinges.
Age Estimate
Estimated circa 1960-1990 based on the hinge style, manufacturing techniques, and artificial crackle finish.
Dimensions
Estimated height of 6 feet (72 inches), width of approximately 64 to 68 inches fully extended across four panels, with a depth of about 1 inch per panel.
Origin
Likely manufactured in Asia (such as China or the Philippines) or a Western decorative workshop producing export-style Chinoiserie items.
Designer/Maker
Unmarked commercial decorative maker in the mid-to-late 20th-century Chinoiserie revival style.
Value Estimate
Estimated retail market value between $300 and $800 depending on the venue and local demand for decorative Chinoiserie accents.
Description
A striking four-panel folding screen featuring an opulent Chinoiserie design. The rich reddish-brown and antiqued gold background is heavily textured with a crackle effect and partitioned into decorative vertical and horizontal frames. Each panel showcases intricate hand-painted motifs, including classical urns overflowing with colorful floral arrangements, delicate flowering trees, soaring birds, and prominent white cranes standing among rockwork. The arched tops of the panels soften the architectural lines, making it a dramatic and functional decorative statement piece for dividing living spaces.
Key Features
Arched top panels, divided rectangular cartouches, heavy crackle lacquer finish, and detailed pictorial scenes featuring cranes, flora, and fauna.
Color & Finish
Deep reddish-brown, oxblood, and antique gold coloration with crackle-textured lacquer, multi-colored floral details, and silver-white avian accents.
Construction Method
Hand-painted and assembled four-panel folding screen joined with visible brass-toned metal butterfly hinges allowing dual-directional folding.
Joinery & Craftsmanship
Standard flush panel construction joined by multi-directional metal hinges, featuring artisan hand-painted and textured surface applications.
Wood Grain & Species
Hidden wood substrate; the surface is entirely obscured by thick layers of gesso, paint, and lacquer rather than exposed wood grain.
Surface Treatment
Heavy crackle-textured lacquer finish with hand-painted multi-panel pictorial scenes depicting flowering urns, blossoming branches, birds, and cranes.
Upholstery Details
N/A
Hardware & Fittings
Brass-finished metal hinges connecting the four vertical panels.
Origin & Provenance
Likely manufactured in Asia (such as China or the Philippines) or a Western decorative workshop producing export-style Chinoiserie items.
Condition Notes
Good overall condition. Minor edge wear and slight scuffing consistent with light handling and transport, but structurally sound with fully functional hinges and vibrant paint preservation.
Interesting Facts
Chinoiserie, derived from the French word 'chinois' meaning 'Chinese', represents European and Western interpretations and imitations of Chinese and East Asian artistic traditions, which reached peak popularity in European interior design during the 17th and 18th centuries and saw numerous revivals.
Cultural Significance
Folding screens have been used in East Asia since the Han dynasty to isolate spaces, block drafts, and provide privacy, eventually evolving into high-status artistic canvases traded along global export routes.
Similar Pieces
Coromandel screens (incised lacquer screens from China) and Japanese Byobu screens; distinguishable by this piece's use of raised flat painting and faux-crackle lacquer over a standard panel substrate rather than deep carved lacquer.
Care & Maintenance
Dust regularly with a soft, dry microfiber cloth. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners, alcohol, or excessive moisture that can damage the lacquered and textured surface. Keep out of direct, prolonged sunlight to prevent fading.
Value Estimate
Estimated retail market value between $300 and $800 depending on the venue and local demand for decorative Chinoiserie accents.
Sustainability Notes
High durability and longevity due to its multi-panel wooden core construction, promoting sustainable interior practices through reuse and vintage decorative longevity.