AE-FP 203
Material - Camphor with Pine or Fir frames
Technique - Double sided carvings
Period - Late Qing dynasty
Region - Screens and panels of this kind are generally attributed to the Jiangnan region or a nearby region.
This is a single double-sided panel, which was once part of a set, which typically means 4 or more panels (some sets can be a many as 12) used in the traditional Chinese home for internal separation. It combines fine openwork, relief & incised carving techniques on both sides. The main top section (just after the small inset panel of curly grass & chrysanthemums) contains an openwork and relief carving of a flower and vase resting on a stone table. Behind the vase is a diagonal "scrolled up" painting. There are many Chinese sayings such as "may blooming flowers bring you prosperity (花開富貴 Huā kāi fùguì)) and "tidings of auspiciousness and luck" (祥獻瑞 Chéng xiáng xiàn ruì) and thus the imagery of the vase with fresh cut flowers is an extremely enduring motif. In fact, this particular symbolism remained popular throughout many successive dynasties, going as far back as the Song dynasty (960–1279) and still persevering into present day. There is an additional meaning here, as the Chinese word for vase is Píng (瓶) is a homonym for (part of) the word for peace Píng (平). The flower in vase metaphor is repeated more than once in this screen.
This is then ringed by openwork carvings of plum and chrysanthemums, which once again, is multilayered in meaning. This can allude to "seasonal harmony" as chrysanthemums mark the transition from autumn to winter, and plum blossoms signify the end of the cold season and the arrival of spring. Or perhaps here they signify "two friends who stay constant despite hardship or troubles" ( 歲寒二友 Suì hán èr yǒu). Stylized "hui character" patterns (回字纹 Huí zì wén) implying far-reaching longevity, along with key fret and scrolling grass patterns frame up the composition.
In the very center of the panel, is a smaller narrow inset rectangular shaped double sided relief carving, which shows the "antique motif." This symbolism typically alludes to the owner’s sophistication and refined taste, as owning and appreciating antiques was traditionally associated with connoisseurs and the educated elite.
A flower and bird composition (花鸟纹 Huāniǎo wén or 梅花鸟画 Méihuā niǎo huà) is inset in the lower panel in relief carving. There is some variation in the meaning here depending on the specific bird used, but when paired with plum blossoms as seems to be the case here, generally this signifies the arrival of spring (although other more subtle meanings may also be implied).
On the other side, in the very same lower position, is the "bat pattern." The Chinese word for "bat" (蝙蝠 Biānfú) is made up of two characters, and the second character (蝠 Fú) has the same pronunciation as the word blessing (福 Fú), So in essence this homonym can imply "blessings falling from the sky" and/or "blessings arrive". Moreover, bats are not just regarded as a symbol of longevity in China, but bats can also be associated with seeking good luck, avoiding evil, seeking wealth as well as bringing health. As bats mean blessings and peaches are generally seen as symbols of longevity, when combined in sets of two as we see here, this can imply double blessings and long life. Smaller bats can be found repeated elsewhere on this screen.
The product description was prepared by Roger Schwendeman with ACF. (https://www.antique-chinese-furniture.com). Roger is a specialist in Asian antiques with focus on antique Chinese window and door panels. Here is one example of his interpretation of the exquisite ArchElements collection.