Chinese Fire Screen with Yin Yang Moti

A stone screen with a circle on its chest and a lot of age.

Carvers of Hebei Province, China, made this fire screen with a yin yang motif in stone, dated in the record to the 16th century. Compact stone screens like this were commonly used as decorative panels on a table or near a hearth. The panel carries a roundel at the center that encloses a symbol in relief, with a shaped stepped ledge and a scalloped base. The grey stone is lightly pitted, with rubbed edges and soft, dry-looking carving.

About 12 inches high and 15 wide. A solid thing to put on a desk and quietly lean on.