Title: Chinese Spinach Jade Five-Panel Table Screen
Artist: Unknown
Date Made: 19th Century
Medium: Spinach Jade, Wood, Metal Wire
Dimensions: 17.7 x 22 inches (45 x 56 cm)

Artwork Identification:
This Chinese spinach jade five-panel table screen is a remarkable example of Qing Dynasty artistry, crafted in the 19th century. The screen features five panels of graduated height, each meticulously carved from spinach jade. The panels depict intricate scenes of figures in lush landscapes, framed by trees and traditional architecture. Below the main scenes are two rows of smaller floral panels, with an additional row of floral designs at the top. The panels are set within an elegant wood frame, inlaid with various colored woods and fine metal wire, adding to the overall sophistication of the piece.

Artistic Style and Influences:
The screen embodies the refined elegance typical of late Qing Dynasty decorative arts, where intricate carving and luxurious materials were highly prized. Spinach jade, named for its deep green color flecked with black, was a favored medium for such works, symbolizing purity and longevity in Chinese culture. The scenes carved into the jade reflect traditional Chinese landscape painting, a genre that emphasizes harmony between humans and nature, while the floral motifs underscore themes of beauty and natural order. The use of mixed materials in the frame, including inlaid wood and metal wire, reflects the period's penchant for combining various textures and colors to enhance the visual appeal.

Historical Context:
This screen was likely created during the late Qing Dynasty, a time when jade carving reached new heights of technical prowess and aesthetic refinement. Table screens like this were often used in the homes of wealthy scholars and officials, serving both as functional items and as symbols of status and intellectual accomplishment. The scenes depicted on the jade panels may have been intended to convey moral lessons or to evoke the scholarly ideal of retreating into nature to cultivate one's mind and spirit.

Provenance and Authenticity:
The provenance of this screen is currently undocumented, though its craftsmanship and materials strongly suggest it was produced by skilled artisans in a reputable workshop during the late Qing Dynasty. The spinach jade panels and the intricately inlaid frame are consistent with similar authenticated works from this period. The screen has been examined and authenticated by experts, confirming its historical and cultural significance.

Condition and Conservation:
The screen is in excellent condition, with the jade panels showing no signs of cracks or chips. The carving remains sharp and detailed, with the jade retaining its rich, deep color. The wood frame and inlay are also well-preserved, with only minor wear consistent with the screen's age. No restoration is required at this time, but careful handling and display in a controlled environment are recommended to preserve the integrity of both the jade and the inlaid wood.

Artistic Significance:
This Chinese spinach jade five-panel table screen is a significant work of art, embodying the technical mastery and aesthetic values of the Qing Dynasty. The combination of finely carved jade with an intricately inlaid wooden frame makes it a prime example of the period's decorative arts. Its themes of harmony between nature and humanity, expressed through traditional Chinese landscape scenes, add to its cultural and scholarly value, making it an important addition to any collection of Chinese art or jade carvings.