Triptych In Lacquered Wood Inlaid With Mother-of-pearl. Japan, Late 19th Century.

A three-panel wooden screen covered in the finest quality black Urushi lacquer (roiro), deep, thick, and durable. Inlaid in the style of the Shibayama family, the design depicts a peacock perched on a centuries-old plum tree still in bloom. The tree emerges from a bed of everlasting peonies. The inlays are made of mother-of-pearl, bone, and precious woods. The frame is rosewood. This triptych form, with a large central panel flanked by two smaller panels, is exceptional in Japanese art and possesses absolute elegance. It demonstrates a European influence. This is a centerpiece screen; the reverse is decorated very simply against a matte slate-gray Urushi lacquer background, depicting a flock of birds in flight among flower petals carried by the wind. It is late spring. This contrast between the ostentatious front and the tranquil, Zen-like, poetic side allowed for a change of scenery depending on the time of day, the guests, and the mood—this is the "Omote Ura." It is an exceptional work of absolute perfection; everything is of high quality: the materials, the precise and masterfully sculpted details. The bird's talons and head, the peony petals, and the tree trunk are all particularly revealing. There is no flaw. It is the work of a great master. There are two seals that might allow us to identify the artist, certainly one of the best of his time. It is likely that this screen was commissioned in Japan and not made for export. The dimensions of 122 x 122 cm are not accidental. There are a few missing inlays, which do not detract from the screen's aesthetic appeal. However, we can have them replaced perfectly by our sculptor. Japan, Meiji period. Late 19th century.