Large four-panel hand-painted Asian silk screen

Byobu are traditional Japanese folding screens that have been used for centuries to divide spaces, provide privacy, or serve as decorative backdrops. They are often adorned with intricate paintings, calligraphy, or textile collages, showcasing various aspects of Japanese art and culture. The construction typically involves wooden frames covered with layers of paper or silk, which are then painted or decorated. This particular byobu depicts a scene common in Japanese art, featuring birds on a flowering branch, possibly prunus or magnolia, alongside bamboo. Such motifs often symbolize harmony, beauty, and prosperity. The delicate brushwork and muted color palette are characteristic of traditional Japanese painting styles, and the presence of calligraphy suggests a signature or poetic inscription, adding to its artistic value. There is some damage to the frame and some marks on the silk, some is age related but this is reflected in the price. Pick- up lower Capilano rd, north van or Hastings-sunrise, Vancouver.