明晚期 嵌螺鈿漆花鳥紋座屏|Table screen

Art Historical Context

This exquisite table screen, crafted in late Ming dynasty China (late 16th–early 17th century exemplifies the pinnacle of imperial craftsmanship during a golden age of artistic refinement. Titled *Ming Late Period Lacquer Table Screen with Inlaid Mother-of-Pearl Floral and Bird Patterns it features delicate motifs of flowers and birds shimmering against a lacquered surface. Standing about 17½ inches tall, this woodwork was designed for a scholar's desk, serving both as a decorative focal point and a practical draft shield. The medium—lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl (known as *luodian* in Chinese)—highlights advanced techniques honed over centuries. Artisans layered thin sheets of iridescent shell into carved lacquer, creating a luminous, three-dimensional effect that captures the vibrancy of nature. Floral and avian designs symbolized harmony, prosperity, and scholarly virtues, resonating with Ming literati culture amid economic prosperity and cultural flourishing. Now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (gift of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan L. Halpern, 1984), this anonymous masterpiece invites us to appreciate the Ming era's blend of utility and opulence, where everyday objects became portals to poetic beauty.