A massive hardstone overlay blue lacquer screen on stand


The massive circular frame encircling an unusual turquoise blue lacquer ground panel, incised in diaper patterns to depict a waterside setting, overlaid with a scene of scholar Liu Mengmei and beauty Du Liniang amid pavilions, blooming wisteria vines and large peony blossoms, a small cartouche reading Yangzhou in the lower right hand corner, the black lacquer reverse painted to depict magpies fluttering above a gnarled branch of prunus; all supported on a stand of reticulated clouds above delicate vine and lotus scrolls surrounding a rectangular inscription reading Mudan Ting ('The Peony Pavillion') in archaistic script.70 1/2in (179cm) high