A stunning three panel Chinese silk embroidered folding screen believed to be created during the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). The silk panels depicting exotic birds, and insects are finely embroidered in soft muted colours while the blooming flora (peonies, bamboo, water lilies and prunus), is hand embroidered in gilt metal thread. The various birds include quails, a pheasant, a heron, a rooster and songbirds. Each screen (different coloured backgrounds in ivory, blush pink and black) is housed within a wooden painted and gilded moulded frame with gimp borders. There are faint brown spots on one panel, but overall they are in great condition. The back of the panels are also silk with one having deteriorated more than the others.Screens were very popular in the last century as they kept out drafts, hid doors used by servants, and they provided a discreet area for ladies to undress. In todays interiors they look wonderful wall mounted as a chinoiserie accent or as a screen as intended.
