Important and rare twelve-leaf folding screen in Coromandel - Lot 181

Important and rare twelve-leaf folding screen in Coromandel "kuancai" lacquer. The front is richly decorated with polychrome lacustrine landscapes, tumultuous waves and clouds populated by immortals evolving under tall pine trees, symbols of longevity. The upper and lower parts are decorated with quadrangular reserves depicting scholar's objects, while the lower part alternates between chimeras and qilin. The central scene is encircled by a frieze of Greek and stylized foliage. The side panels are decorated with four-clawed dragons chasing the sacred pearl through the clouds. The reverse features a long calligraphic poem in the center, indicating that the piece commemorates the success of a candidate in the imperial examinations. Signed and dated on the left, the inscription specifies that this screen was designed in the first month of the Gengzi year of the Kangxi reign (1662-1722), corresponding to January 1720. China, Qing dynasty (1644-1912), Kangxi period (1662-1722). Dimensions per sheet: height: 294 cm. Width: 49 cm. Total dimensions: 588 cm long. (Cracks, restorations). Provenance: Private collection from the Maison Denis frères.