This antique Japanese six-panel screen is a byōbu in paint on paper with its wooden box for storage. It originates from Japan, from the late Meiji period, when the screen articulated the space of the home and was kept in its own box.
The byōbu was used as a divider and as a backdrop in the Japanese home, folding away for storage. Keeping the original wooden box, used to carry and protect it, is a sign of its care over time.
The six panels are paper mounted over wooden lattices, joined by paper hinges that let them fold in a zigzag, with a lacquered frame and a patterned-paper back. The painting runs continuously across the panels.
The composition depicts waterbirds —ducks and a heron— among chrysanthemums and bamboo, in ink and colour on aged paper, with the artist’s calligraphy and seal. The chrysanthemum (kiku) symbolises longevity, and the waterbirds evoke water and the turn of the seasons.
For its horizontal development, it serves as a room divider, a headboard or a scenic backdrop in a large room. It fits wabi-sabi, japandi and eclectic interiors, where it brings depth and narrative.
Details
- Dimensions: Length 353 cm – Width 1 cm – Height 168 cm
- Style: Traditional Japanese
- Materials and techniques: Painted paper over wooden lattice; paper hinges; lacquered frame; wooden box.
- Place of origin: Japan
- Period: Meiji period
- Date of manufacture: Circa 1900
- Condition: Good. Screen with a wooden box for storage and transport; shows water stains, knocks and missing pieces. Folded dimensions: Length 64 cm – Width 30 cm – Height 177 cm. Box dimensions: Length 28 cm – Width 66 cm – Height 176 cm. Wear consistent with age and use.
This piece is part of the curated collection of Amaru Antiques, Barcelona.
ONE OF A KIND PIECE
