Louis XVI-style Fireplace Screen In Gilded Wood, Decorated With Remarkable Asian Embroidery; 19th Century

An elegant Louis XVI-style screen made of carved and gilded wood, dating from the late 19th century, featuring in its center a remarkable piece of Asian embroidery in polychrome silk threads, likely of Japanese origin, from the Meiji period (1868–1912).

The embroidery depicts an elderly figure, dressed in traditional Eastern attire, riding a majestic crane with outstretched wings. This particularly original depiction evokes the iconography of Taoist immortals, as the crane is traditionally associated with longevity, wisdom, and immortality in Chinese and Japanese cultures.

The embroidery is distinguished by its exceptional finesse of execution and rich detail. The crane’s plumage, crafted from white, black, and gray silk threads, features subtle variations in texture and relief that precisely reproduce the bird’s various feathers. The head, beak, and legs are rendered with remarkable attention to detail.

The figure, with a finely drawn face, wears a loose-fitting brown garment with delicate embroidery, embellished with polychrome motifs in blue, yellow, and mauve. The entire piece stands out against a blue-gray silk background, whose simplicity highlights the artistic quality of the composition.

This embroidery attests to the refinement of Far Eastern textile arts and reflects the European taste for Japonism, which developed significantly during the second half of the 19th century.

The gilded wooden frame, in the Louis XVI style, features a molded and carved border, accented with beaded friezes and neoclassical decorative motifs. Its upper crossbar, featuring a twisted design, is topped by a sculpted trophy composed of artistic attributes and foliage. The lower crossbar is adorned with a centered foliage composition.

The piece rests on four curved gilded-wood legs, ensuring good stability and giving the screen an elegant and balanced silhouette.

This beautiful decorative object harmoniously combines the refinement of French Louis XVI-style furniture with the delicacy of antique Asian embroidery, characteristic of the Japonism trend of the late 19th century.

Period: late 19th century, circa 1880–1900.

Origin of the embroidery: probably Japan, Meiji period.

Condition: generally good for its age. Gilding shows some wear and scuffing, mainly on the legs. The antique embroidery retains a rich detail and color palette, with a few irregularities and signs of age on the silk background.

Shipping by carrier on a pallet: 150 euros within France, 300 euros within the EU, and 1,000 euros to the rest of the world.