A beautiful little screen. The perfect composition (designed to be read from the right) leads you through the desolate pines on the shore to the mist shrouded headlands in the distance. It is immersive, tranquil and meditative, not just a pretty face.
Exceptionally well executed and lavishly produced in mineral pigments and gold dust on a gold leaf ground. The rokusho (malachite) pine needles are finely rendered in the moriage relief technique, adding an extra layer of realism and depth.
Dating to the mid to late Meiji period (1868 - 1912), this is painted by or in the style of the Kano School of Japanese painting. The Kano School dominated Japanese art from the 15th century to 19th centuries. Despite the loss of official patronage in the Meiji period, artists continued to work in the Kano style until the early 20th century.
Condition:
In superb condition, probably the best we have ever seen. No losses or restoration to the paint, leaf, or the beautiful silk brocade border. The hinges are in rock solid, perfect condition which is tremendously rare. There are a couple of tiny losses to the lacquer of the frame, but these are not readily visible, and a small puncture to the backing paper.
120cm x 55cm (47.2 x 21.6 inches)
Care:
Byobu are designed to be stand with each leaf displayed at 45 degrees from each other. If you would like to mount the screen on a wall, please let us know and we will refer you to our specialist conservator who can provide guidance. Displaying these screens flat causes tension and wear, which is why so many have warped or snapped hinges and detached leaves. They can be displayed flat on a wall but doing it incorrectly will cause permanent damage.
UK mainland shipping is £75, by dedicated courier. Please contact for international shipping or hard to reach parts of the UK.
19th Century Japanese Byobu Screen
We are happy to accept returned items if they arrive damaged or are not as described. No other reason will guarantee a refund. Please study images carefully, they count as part of the description. We are happy to supply additional information and images on request
All our items are listed with a UK Mainland delivery fee that is automatically added to your basket when checking out. This fee is applicable to the majority of England and Scotland.
All of Wales, England west of Bristol and Scotland north of Edinburgh are likely to incur a surcharge for shipping, as will Northern Ireland and any other UK island. If these locations apply to you, or you are from outside the UK, please contact us for a shipping quote prior to placing an order.
Anything with a shipping fee under £50 will be sent through a standard parcel courier so you can just place an order wherever you are on the UK mainland with no need to check for surcharges.
Anything with a shipping price of £50 or over will be sent with one of our selected and trusted couriers. To keep costs down, we use multi drop couriers who may only be in your area on a specific day. It is a one man, doorstep delivery. If you need help with getting larger items into your premises, or need an item shipping on a specific day or to a deadline, let us know. We can arrange a white glove service to meet your requirements.