Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 18

Large Antique Coromandel or Kuancai Lacquer Screen

About the Item

A superbly decorative six-panel lacquered 'Coromandel' screen, exquisitely carved and hand-painted with oriental figures, flowers and exotic beasts on a dark brown background, in the traditional 17th century manner.  Late 19th – early 20th century. Why we like it We like its impressive proportions which make it perfect for a feature wall, and the exquisite quality of decoration. The subtlety of colours lends a 'soft' look to the piece. The central motif depicts a scene set in the gardens of a Han dynasty palace, while the outer borders are decorated with the “one hundred antiques” motif interspersed with floral arrangements. In this regard, the present screen not only conveys auspicious meanings but also demonstrate the owner’s fine scholarly taste. History The term 'Coromandel', which is used to describe this particular type of lacquer technique (kuancai), is rather misleading. In the 18th century it was used commercially to indicate the place from which these objects were shipped to England through the East India Companies, and had no reference to China, the place of their origin. Similarly, Chinese painted wallpaper was often called 'India paper' in historic documants. The kuancai lacquer technique, literally meaning “cut out colour” and found almost exclusively on screens, emerged in the 16th century to serve the domestic market. The iconographic elements were carved through the built-up coats of dark lacquer and filled with pigments and gold. Seventeenth century examples usually consisted of twelve panels, and were often employed in entrance halls or as room dividers or windscreens for gardens and terraces. They were often commissioned as gifts and depicted court scenes, episodes from the world of the immortals, panoramic or landscape views and auspicious symbols. This type of lacquerware was flourishing during the reign of the Kangxi emperor (1662-1722) and saw a revival in the 19th century. Stylistically the present screen may be compared with the twelve-panel lacquer screen from the Kangxi period in the Victoria and Albert Museum illustrated by W. De Kesel and G. Dhont in Coromandel Lacquer Screens, ill. 23, pps 36-37. Such luxurious items were popular in England during the height of fashion for oriental exoticism, called chinoiserie in Europe. In the 20th century, Coromandel screens still remained a staple in the European interior design. Coco Chanel had a collection of 32 rare Coromandel screens, which she proudly displayed in her home at 31 Rue Cambom, Paris. She one stated "I've loved Chinese screens since I was eighteen years old. I nearly fainted with joy when, entering a Chinese shop, I saw a Coromandel for the first time." Fifty years after her death, the apartment has been officially unveiled after several months of restoration work by French interior designer Jacques Grange. Condition Signs of age and wear throughout, occasional rubbing, chipping and touchups to decoration.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 87.01 in (221 cm)Width: 106.3 in (270 cm)Depth: 1.19 in (3 cm)
  • Style:
    Chinoiserie (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Lacquer,Wood,Hand-Carved,Lacquered,Polychromed
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Late 19th - Early 20th Century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. Ready for placement and immediate use. Signs of age and wear throughout, rubbing, chipping and touch-ups to decoration.
  • Seller Location:
    Richmond, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1781234675792

More From This Seller

View All
19th Century Lacquer Cabinet, Circa 1850
Located in Richmond, London
A striking black lacquer table or jewellery cabinet, exquisitely decorated with Oriental figures and pagodas throughout. Mid-19th century. A highly desirable and sought after model. ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Asian Chinoiserie Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

Large Early 19th Century Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Box
Located in Richmond, London
A large early 19th century chinoiserie black lacquer and gilt box of a rare shape. Canton, China, circa 1830. Why we like them Exquisite gilt decoration, wonderfully preserved orig...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

Early 19th Century Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Boxes
Located in Richmond, London
An early 19th century set of four small chinoiserie black lacquer and gilt boxes. Circa 1830. Why we like them Exquisite gilt decoration, wonderfully preserved original condition. ...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Asian Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Rare 19th Century Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Tea Caddy, circa 1820
Located in Richmond, London
A very rare English Regency period chinoiserie style black lacquer box, exquisitely gilt-decorated with whimsical oriental motifs. England, early 19th century. Why we like it A cha...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century European Chinoiserie Tea Caddies

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

19th Century Chinoiserie Cabinet in Black Lacquer and Gilt Decoration
Located in Richmond, London
Exquisite early 19th century chinoiserie table cabinet in black lacquer and gilt decoration. Canton, circa 1830. Extremely rare to retain most of gilt decoration in such a pristine c...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lacquer

Materials

Gold Leaf

Large Celadon ‘Bamboo’ Table Lamp
Located in Richmond, London
A large celadon ‘Bamboo’ design table lamp. Chinese, 20th century. Why we like it Subtly decorative and of a great scale and jar shape. Shade is not ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Table Lamps

Materials

Celadon

You May Also Like

Monumental 10-Panel Coromandel Black Lacquer Folding Screen
Located in San Francisco, CA
Monumental 10-panel 10 foot tall coromandel black lacquered folding screen. One side depicting an elaborate bird landscape with a golden pheas...
Category

Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Brass

Dramatic Large 8 Panel Coromandel Screen
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Dramatic very large ornate coromandel screen having gold background and meticulously carved and painted figural scenes. Back side is solid color lacquer.
Category

Vintage 1950s Chinese Chinese Export Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Coromandel Screen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Amazing metalic screen.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

Double Sided Coromandel Chinoiserie Lacquer Five-Panel Screen, Paravent, 1890s
By Jean Dunand
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Exceptional double sided Chinoiserie hand-painted Coromandel screen, with a continuous scene over the panels. One side depicts a scene of the Forbidden City, and the other side shows...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Wood, Hardwood

Chinese Export Four Panel Lacquered Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Celestial Chinese export coromandel four-panel screen depicting figures in colorful robes in a heavenly landscape among the white clouds. Eac...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export Lacquered Four Panel Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Beautifully weathered Chinese export four-panel coromandel screen decorated on both sides. The screen features a pavilion landscape on one side and a floral and fauna landscape on th...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Recently Viewed

View All