Behold, the Qing Dynasty Cinnabar Lacquer Table Screen — a captivating piece of Chinese artistry known for its evocative portrayal of scholar's scenes set in lush landscapes. Its presence in a scholar's studio was as much about function as it was about grandeur, serving as a backdrop for the contemplative musings of the era.
Tracing its lineage, this screen harkens back to the opulent days of the late Qing dynasty, nestled in the 19th century. During this time, the art of lacquer crafting reached new heights, with cinnabar red imagery being at its most intricate and symbolic, weaving tales of culture and status into every curve and relief.
The materials used in this creation — richly layered cinnabar lacquer delicately carved over a robust wooden core — show a painstaking commitment to the art form. The high relief scenes, featuring scholars amidst gardens and pavilions, testify to the skill and patience of artisans who undoubtedly labored over each detail, infusing life and dimension into tradition.
Examination of this piece reveals it to be in very good condition despite its age. Some light surface wear aligns with its historical journey, without conspicuous fractures or deep chips. While visually subtle, such wear provides insight into its passage through time, forming part of its unique narrative.
However, authenticity stakes remain high, with the item scoring 55% on genuine markers, amid a sea of reproductions that cloud its history. An estimated auction value ranges from $3,000 to $8,000, should its period authenticity be upheld. Thus, each piece of this complex puzzle contributes to the screen’s genuine charm and allure — a relic from the Qing dynasty's artistic garden, etched in cinnabar...
Used for this report's TTS and avatar presentation.
Item Report
Qing Dynasty Cinnabar Lacquer Table Screen
清代剔红漆案屏
By:Unknown workshop (typical for Qing dynasty lacquerware)
Style:Qing Dynasty Cinnabar Lacquer
Origin:China
Materials:Carved cinnabar lacquer over wood core
Age:Late Qing dynasty, circa 19th century
Condition:Very good (minor surface wear, no obvious breaks or deep chips visible in the photo)
Value:$3,000–$8,000 (auction estimate, assuming period authenticity)
Maker's Marks / Writing:No maker’s mark, inscription, or visible writing in the provided image.
Date:2025-07-23 04:00:15.798465
Description:
This is a Chinese cinnabar lacquer table screen featuring deeply carved figures in a landscape. The red lacquer, known as 'cinnabar', is intricately carved with a traditional scene depicting scholars in a garden with a pavilion, rocks, and trees. The scene is surrounded by a decorative border, and the stand also features similar scrolling floral motifs. Such screens served both functional and decorative purposes in scholar's studios during the Qing period.
这是一件中国剔红漆案屏，雕刻有深刻的庭院人物与风景。红色漆料即所谓“剔红”，主要雕饰士人在花园亭阁、奇石与树林之间的传统场景，四周配以装饰性花边，底座则有卷草纹饰。此类案屏在清代学者书斋中兼具实用与装饰功能。
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
This screen is a finely-rendered example of late Qing dynasty cinnabar lacquerwork. The quality of carving and decorative motifs are consistent with imperial or scholar's studio designs from the 19th century. However, as with all Chinese lacquer (and especially due to widespread fakes), a close physical inspection of the lacquer layers and the wood core is necessary for conclusive authentication. The iconography and carving style display signs of period skill, but absolute certainty of period origin cannot be established from photographs alone. A word about fakes: Cinnabar lacquer of this type is frequently reproduced, particularly over the past 50 years, so careful study of patina, carving depth, and potential restoration is crucial before assigning a high authenticity grade. And that's etched in Jade..!
此案屏为晚清剔红工艺的精美典范，雕工与装饰风格符合十九世纪帝制晚期或文人书房用屏的设计。鉴于中国漆器仿品极多，需对漆层与木胎做实物详查，方能达至最终断代结论。从图像可见，题材与雕刻手法具时代特征，但仅凭照片难以百分之百认定为清代原品。关于赝品须知：此类剔红物品近50年内被广泛仿制，断代须特别注意表层包浆、雕刻深浅及是否修复。‘玉鉴铭心’。
Individual Images:
whole item
Provenance:
No provenance documentation provided in the image.
Condition:
Very good (minor surface wear, no obvious breaks or deep chips visible in the photo)
Identification Score: 95%
The form, material, and carving style identify this confidently as a Chinese Qing dynasty cinnabar lacquer table screen. The motifs and construction match period examples held in collections.
从形制、材质及雕刻风格判断，此物为清代剔红漆案屏无疑，其题材及结构与博物馆藏品高度一致。
Authenticity Score: 55%
While the carving and visual characteristics are consistent with 19th-century cinnabar lacquer, the prevalence of high-quality reproductions necessitates caution. Without a hands-on lacquer stratigraphy or wood core analysis, or signs of period wear and patina, authenticity cannot be assured.
虽雕刻风格与十九世纪剔红漆器相符，但此类高仿极多，未见实物漆层结构与木胎，同时缺乏典型包浆或历史磨损，故真实性无法百分百确定。
Image Memory Note
The primary image depicts a Chinese cinnabar lacquer table screen of rectangular form, with the main panel carved in high relief showing a landscape: a pavilion, two figures (one seated, one standing), several trees and rocks, with patterned clouds and a decorative floral border. The frame and stand are similarly carved with stylized scrolls and floral motifs. The screen is in red ('cinnabar') lacquer, typical of Qing dynasty scholar’s furniture and decorative objects. No maker’s marks, reign marks, or inscriptions are visible. There is no visible damage except for minor surface wear consistent with age. No additional images provided, so no detail of varnish stratigraphy or underside.
主图展现一件中国剔红漆案屏，长方形主板高浮雕庭院人物风景：亭台楼阁、一坐一立二人、树木奇石、祥云及花卉卷草边框。屏座与边框同为卷草及花卉雕饰，整体呈明快大红色，符合清代文房案屏装饰风格。未见款识、年号或铭文。表面局部有时光磨痕，无明显损坏或断裂。未见内部漆层结构或底部图像，无法判定胎体工艺。
Keywords
Qing dynasty, cinnabar lacquer, Chinese screen, carved lacquer, scholar's studio, 19th century, China
清代，剔红漆，中国案屏，雕漆，文房用品，十九世纪，中国
The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.
Share: