Create a great wall with a Chinese screen

Chinese screens are often fabulous works of art. They are amazingly versatile objects to decorate with. They can add separation to a room, hide a bad feature, or just stand as a work of art.And you can move them around!

Elle Decor - Designer: Michael S. Smith

In Michael S. Smith's own Manhattan apartment he uses a Chinese screen to fill the wall behind the sofa. This screen is a deep rich red design. It serves a great wall art, warms the room, and adds architectural interest to a room without much.

 Architectural Digest - Designer: Katherine Newman

In contrast to the screen in the first photo, this one is on a gold ground and shimmers in the corner of this room designed by Katherine Newman.  It fill an otherwise empty space and adds interest to the room. It would draw your eye and make the room feel deeper and bigger. 

Elle Decor - Designer: William Frawley

 

In yet another variation, this open  fretwork Chinese screen serves as room separation between the living area and the kitchen - and it does it with style!

This lovely Chinese six panel black lacquered coromandel screen, early 20th century, has one side depicting flowers and birds, and the other side with a gilded surface with shore birds and bamboo forest, h. 72-1/2", w. 96". This was offered in the New Orleans Auction (Lot 134) in the past few days. It had an auction estimate of $1,000 - $1,500 (the reslts were not posted as of this writing). This is a classic design, and would shimmer in the room.

This  four panel Chinese coromandel screen measure 6 feet tall, with each panel measuring 16 inches. This sold at a Doyle New York auction for $250 off an auction estimate of $300 - $500. The gold ground sets off a rather colorful design. This would brighten up a room!

I couldn't quite believe my eyes when I found this screen which sold at a Christie's auction in New York. I love the silvered ground, which is a nice change from the more classic gold. Maybe that's why it only sold for $125, off an auction estimate of $2,000 - $3,000! It measures 84 inches tall, and has six 16 inch panels. It's 20th century. Beautiful bargain!

I love the warmth of the wood and the fretwork pattern in this Chinese four panel softwood screen. It's 18th century, and measures the upper panels carved with geometric motifs 83 inches high, and 100 inches wide. This sold at a Christie's auction in New York for $1,080 off an auction estimate of $1,500 - $2,000. 

Chinese screens come up at auction regularly. You will certainly be able to find one that fits your style. They can be rustic or refined, bargains or investments, so have finding one for your decor!

 

You can register an interest with auction consolidators like Live Auctioneers, or the individual auction houses. They will then send you email alerts when something is coming up. I would check Christie's regularly, as well as Bonhams, which in the US if cocused on the West Coast.