Embroidered Hongmu Screen with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay

A Chinese silk embroidered mother-of-pearl inlaid Hongmu screen,…
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A Chinese silk embroidered Mother-of-pearl inlaid Hongmu screen, Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), 19th century, the hardwood screen finely inlaid with scrolling foliate designs in mother-of-pearl, with Buddhist guardian lion feet, inset with a very fine silk pictorial embroidery depicting birds under a pine tree including peacock, eagle, pheasant, cranes and paradise flycatchers, 106 cm high, 64.5 cm wide, 28 cm deep.

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  • Mother-Of-Pearl - Mother-of-pearl, technical name "nacre", is the inner layer of a sea shell. The iridescent colours and strength of this material were widely used in the nineteenth century as an inlay in jewellery, furniture, (especially papier mache furniture) and musical instruments.

    In the early 1900s it was used to make pearl buttons. Mother-of-pearl is a soft material that is easily cut or engraved.

    Nowadays it is a by-product of the oyster, freshwater pearl mussel and abalone industries.
  • Foliate - Decorated with leaves or leaf-like forms.
  • Qing Dynasty - The Qing Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912. It was established by the Manchu people, who originated from the northeastern region of China. The Qing Dynasty was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China.
  • Ming Dynasty - The Ming Dynasty was a ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644. It succeeded the Yuan Dynasty and preceded the Qing Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty was established by Zhu Yuanzhang, a former Buddhist monk who became a rebel leader and eventually overthrew the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty, China experienced a period of relative stability and prosperity. The government was centralized and bureaucratic, with the emperor at the top of the hierarchy. The Ming Dynasty is known for its cultural achievements, including the development of porcelain, the invention of movable type printing, and the construction of the Great Wall of China.

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