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Lot Essay
The present table screen most likely depicts Lü Dongbin, identified through characteristic Daoist iconographic features, particularly the fuchen (fly-whisk) and the sword carried on his back, both conventionally associated with this Immortal. These attributes, together with the attendant youth bearing a wine ewer and the poetic reference to “xianye” (immortal elixir), construct an imagery of transcendence and auspicious bestowal. The term “jiahe”, meaning “auspicious grain,” refers to a miraculously prolific type of rice regarded in antiquity as an omen of peace and prosperity, thereby reinforcing the auspicious tenor of the composition.
The present screen, executed in black lacquer with mother-of-pearl inlay, reflects the high technical refinement associated with Kangxi-period lacquer workshops, known for their dense, precisely fitted inlay and vivid narrative scenes. The seals read “Zhu” and “Yuanfu,” which were likely the personal name and style name of the artisan or original commissioner. Such signed examples are relatively rare among surviving lacquerwares of the Kangxi period, enhancing the significance of the piece.
The present screen, executed in black lacquer with mother-of-pearl inlay, reflects the high technical refinement associated with Kangxi-period lacquer workshops, known for their dense, precisely fitted inlay and vivid narrative scenes. The seals read “Zhu” and “Yuanfu,” which were likely the personal name and style name of the artisan or original commissioner. Such signed examples are relatively rare among surviving lacquerwares of the Kangxi period, enhancing the significance of the piece.