Qing Wall-mounted Sculptures

Despite their explicit content, these intimate scenes convey a sense of tenderness and romantic love characteristic of Chinese erotic art. Belonging to a genre known as “spring palace paintings...

These hand-carved wooden fragments originated as decorative elements of ornate Qing-dynasty furniture or architecture. Colored by red lacquer and gilt pigments, each fragment is carv...

This slate board would have been used by school children in the late Qing-dynasty as part of the independent studies promoted in provincial academies. Whil...

This early 20th century lattice window panel from China's Shanxi province likely originated in a traditional home with balanced interiors. Both functional and decorative, lattice win...

This pair of early 20th century wall pockets is crafted from colorful silks in the shape of two porcelain vases filled with lotus blossoms. Folds of pink silk comprise a large lotus ...

This pair of decorative red lacquer signs dates to the late 19th century and is carved in relief with a poetic couplet. Carved to resemble ink calligraphy, the couplet reads: "Do good deeds without questioning your happiness, pursue knowledge without forgetting your principles." The long, vertical signs...

This 19th-century four panel screen depicts an elegant palatial setting with gilt brushwork and fine inlay of soapstone, agate, jade, and bone. Robed members of the imperial court stroll through a palace courtyard, enclosed by grand archways and lattice railings. The scene is dotted with brushed foliage and the occasional scholars' object, and surmounted by large, gracefully branching inlaid trees. Set against a black lacquer background, the carved inlay adds subtle dimension to the scene and colors the figures and architecture with the irregular, natural patterning of each stone. The screen is a beautiful example of the Chinese inlay...

These lattice window panels from Yunan province date to the late 19th century and likely originated in an official building or courtyard home. At once decorative and functional, the ...

This early 20th century lattice window panel likely originated in a northern Chinese home with neutral and balanced interiors. The geometric lattice pattern is linear and open, and was designed to allow light and air into a room while maintaining privacy. Assembled by carefully joining long strips of carved wood, this lattice window has an even, squared pattern that reveals a large diamond formation. Crafted of pine wood, we love this vintage lattice...

These long red lacquer panels are decorated with turned baluster posts and fanciful carvings of flowering plants and scholars' objects, set within a vertical rectangular frame. Dated to the late 19th century, the panels may have originally been an architectural element or part of a Chinese canopy bed...

These gorgeous early 20th century window panels are crafted of northern elmwood (yumu) and feature a complex honeycomb lattice. Unlike fretwork made by carving or perforating a solid...

This engraved wooden panel is a 19th-century sign of honor originally presented to the family of an esteemed Qing-dynasty scholar-official. Written as an imperial edict from the empe...