Screen, engraved wood and painted glass, mid-19th century

Location: Room XVIII – the Chinese Drawing Room

This screen is made of five panels, with the central panel being the largest. Though it cannot be folded, the position of the lateral panels creates a convex shape. The wood structure rests upon a double-band base, decorated with spiral motifs and plants. Five sheets of glass have been set within the frames, with an ornate wood panel decorated by sculpted flowers beneath each of them. Carved openwork wood trim featuring natural motifs runs across the top.

The five glass panes are painted on the back and create a single colourful scene, with a royal palace accessed by steps at the centre. Parts of the main structure extend into the lateral panes, flanked by other buildings. The scene is filled with dignitaries and ladies of the court, portrayed as they go about their activities.

This technique of painting on glass was introduced in China in the late 1600s and early 1700s, and was often used to create items bound for local markets and exports (such as this screen) from that moment on.