Fruitwood Paintings and Screens

Mid-century bronze Italian sculpture with black marble warrior on horseback

Cherry Blossoms Kano Sanrakuki (1898-1981) Showa period, circa 1930 2-panel Japanese Screen Color, gofun and gold leaf on paper Against a backdrop of gold-leafed ground, the lichen covered trunk and branches of the life-sized cherry blossom tree reach out and beyond the confines of the pictorial surface. The overall composition has a feeling of flatness which draws emphasis to the surface and the three-dimensionality of the cherry blossoms. Painstakingly built-up layers of thickly applied shell-white gofun detail the voluminous blossoms and cover large areas of this tour-de-force of Japanese Nihonga painting. By simplifying the background, minimizing the number of colors and depicting the blossoms with such heavy relief, the artist has emphasized the stunning presence of the cherry tree. The type of tree depicted is the Yae-Zakura; a double-layered type of cherry blossom famed for its beauty and strength. When we think of Japanese cherry blossoms, the first thing that comes to mind is Somei Yoshino variety, which has a single flower with five almost white petals. This type is fragile and easily blown away by strong wind or rain. Most of the double-flowered cherry blossoms begin to bloom when the Somei-Yoshino falls, and the flowering period lasts longer than that of the Somei-Yoshino. Kano Sanrakuki originally studied painting at the Kyoto City Arts and Crafts School under the tutelage of Yamamoto Shunkyo...

The red plum blossom and birds painting of this two-panel screen is hand-painted in watercolor, on squares of gold leaf which are applied by hand to the paper base over carefully joi...

The cranes by the river painting of this two-panel screen is hand-painted in watercolor, on squares of gold leaf which are applied by hand to the paper base over carefully jointed wo...

Handsome Chinese Four Panel Coromandel Hand Carved and Hand Gilded Wood Screen mounted on board. Carved Wood panels with gilding depicting a pavilion scene with warriors and general...

Just acquired in Kyoto, Japan A beautifully rendered smaller scale Japanese gold leaf six-panel folding screen byobu conceived in a convenient size 20 inches high and 54 inches length. This brilliant Heian spring/summer scene features a scene of ladies and Shinto gentlemen harvesting flowers among a sparkling blue river, moutainous green backdrop, and against a rich gold back ground punctuated by cherry trees in full bloom. All pigments on paper. The entirety is framed in black lacquer with bronze enhancements. Smaller size makes this lovely one eminently installable. Comes as found with original black lacquer frame with original brocade border, and original backing paper . These smaller scale screens are ideal for small wall areas and in tea rooms or alcoves tokonoma (toko-no-ma), which are built-in recessed space in a Japanese style reception room, in which items for artistic appreciation. Dimensions: 20 inches tall and 54 inches wide Lifetime guarantee of authenticity: All of our Asian works of art come with our Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee. About the Heian Period: The Heian period (平安時代, Heian jidai) is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. It followed the Nara period...

Japan, a small and unusual two panel tea screen of four playful rabbits amidst pink and white flowers in, byōbu. It dates to the Taisho period. Dimensions: 41 inches high and 56 i...

Vintage watercolor painting of two Geisha under an umbrella - watercolor over graphite with gold gilt border - signed upper right (unidentified artist/maker...

Striking and decorative tall wall panels carved and gilt with overall openwork large scrolled acanthus leaves in relief, each leaf with raised ribs edg...

Just acquired in Kyoto, Japan A beautifully and finely rendered smaller scale Japanese gold leaf six-panel folding screen byobu conceived in a convenient size 18 inches high and 48 ...

19th/20th c., Antique hand-carved Japanese ramna panels depicting landscapes of black pine trees, temples, mountains and clouds. Likely carved from yaku cedar in the Osaka tradition of chokokuranma (carved transom), these are double sided three-dimensional landscape designs. The design is mirrored on each side of the panel. Ranma panels...

Japan, a fine hand carved wooden screen "ranma" or transom featuring a spectacular composition of a pair (2) of finely carved flying cranes among matsu trees executed in kuri (chestnut wood), circa 1950s. In Japan, the crane, or tsuru, is a national treasure and is considered the bird of happiness...