Chinese Five Panel Screen Set with Ru Yi Symbol

Five hinged panels, a lattice of squares above and curling scrolls below.

This five panel screen set with ru yi symbol is from Shanxi Province, China, and dates to the late 18th or early 19th century. It is lacquered elm wood. Many Chinese antiques are now returning to China through auction houses and foreign dealers, as Chinese buyers actively purchase older pieces back, which the article describes as reclaiming their heritage. Folding screen with five narrow panels in dark wood. Each has a grid of open squares edged in red, a carved top frieze with red-brown tones and a lower panel carved with scroll shapes. Small cutout apron decorates the foot. It is 116 inches long, 1 deep and 106 high.

A room divider with real lattice discipline.