CHINE, DYNASTIE QING, ÉPOQUE QIANLONG-JIAQING (1736-1820)

This large circular cloisonné enamel screen exemplifies auspicious symbolism. Its composition features five ribboned birds (shouji), four perched in pairs on flowering branches and a fifth in flight, achieving a dynamic balance between stability and movement. Ribboned birds are traditionally associated with longevity and official rank, as the character “shou” is a homophone for “long life”; the grouping of five birds reinforces the auspicious motif of “Fivefold Longevity at One’s Door” (wushou linmen). The screen displays exceptional craftsmanship, with richly colored enamel, gilded accents, and intricate decorative patterns characteristic of Qing imperial workshops at their height, making it a distinguished object that unites artistic, technical, and cultural significance.