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Pair of Japanese Two Panel Screens: Sudare and Fans

This elegant pair of Edo period screens (c. 1820) offers a complex interplay of natural beauty and refined composition. Executed in pigment, gold flake, and ink on paper, the screens present a lavish background for a unique artistic arrangement. The upper portion of each screen is dominated by the motif of hanging sudare (bamboo blinds) draped with delicate vines, suggesting a quiet, enclosed interior space. Below these shades, several beautifully detailed fans appear suspended against the shimmering gold ground. These fans are decorated with precise floral and bird imagery, traditionally symbolizing summer and fleeting elegance. The artistic hand behind the work carries significant provenance: while one fan is spuriously signed to Maruyama Okyo, the majority are signed by Matsumura Keibun (1779–1843), a distinguished artist who formally trained under Okyo. This lineage ensures the screens exemplify the highly refined craftsmanship of the Kyoto School of painting. The pairing is a magnificent example of subtle detail, high-quality materials, and compelling art historical connection. Measurements listed are for each individual screen. Can be sold separately.

On the reverse: Pine Tree / Plum Tree. Ink on paper, signed Seiko. Japan; c.1825 67 1/4" h. x 74 1/4" w. Notes about the artist: Yokoyama Seiko 1792-1864 was a student of Matsumura Keibun. His student also used the same name (Okajima Seiko)