Table Screen

18th century

A table screen (Chinese, Qing Dynasty, 18th century) composed of carved white jade raised in a teakwood stand. The rectangular plaque is carved in low relief with a mountainous landscape. In the foreground a scholar is seated in a pavilion and a boy sits on a buffalo playing the flute, in the background figures walk up and down the mountain. The plaque rests in a rectangular trestle stand that is carved with an openwork scrolling foliate frieze. Shows the motif of fishing, woodcutting, farming, and reading. Refers to the four most important occupations in Chinese agrarian society (yu qiao geng du/ 御桥更都).

Chinese

jade

teakwood

9.875" x 6.625" x 3.25"

Gift of the Estate of Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Berwind, II, 1994.

PSNC.4321a-b