Chinese Wood Commemorative Screen

A black tri-fold with columns of gilt writing and painted trees on the wings.

This commemorative screen is from Shanxi Province, China, and dates to the 19th century. It is painted wood. Tibetans were traditionally semi-nomadic and owned few personal furnishings, so most Tibetan furniture stood in monasteries, and some of it was carted over the Himalayas to India as monasteries were destroyed. Folding screen of dark lacquer on a carved red base. The center panel is covered with columns of gold characters above two round red medallions, and the side wings show gilded trees and birds. Carved frames add color. It is 50.5 inches long, 26 deep and 88 high.

Lots to read, lots to look at, nothing to hide.