Chinese Carved Panel Depicting Two Female Figures

Another carved wooden panel, with a row of figures stepping out under a roofline.

This carved panel depicting two female figures is from China, and dates to the 19th century. It is elmwood. Elmwood is a hard, close-grained wood that was commonly used for furniture and architectural carving in northern China. A wide framed panel in warm brown tone with a bright loop at the crown. A fretted band runs above the main carving, which shows several small figures in front of a tiled eave. The edges are darkened and the bottom rail curves in scrolls. It is 14.75 inches wide, 1 deep and 14 high.

The carver packed in more people than a rush hour train.