Low six-panel hinagata byôbu
Price: € 800,00
A lovely six-panel hinagata byôbu 雛形屏風 (doll festival room divider) with a painting on oxidized silver leaf with a scene from chapter 5: ‘Wakamurasaki’ 若紫 (Little Purple Gromwell) from ‘The Tale of Genji’ 源氏物語 (Genji Monogatari).
As the story goes; Suffering from an illness, grieving over the death of Yūgao, and tormented over his affair with his father’s consort Fujitsubo, Genji (age eighteen) visits a healer in the northern hills, where he first glimpses Murasaki (age ten). He is so captivated by Murasaki’s resemblance to Fujitsubo (her paternal aunt) that when the girl’s grandmother guardian dies, he forcibly takes her into his own home. (From ‘The Tale of Genji – A Japanese classic illuminated’, p. 333)
The painting shows the moment Prince Genji has his first glimpse of the beautiful young Murasaki, who sits peacefully with her grandmother on the open veranda.
The pavilion is surrounded by a charming and lush landscape; a mountainscape with a winding river and pretty blooming cherry blossoms.
Dense silver leaf clouds surround the scene. Silver leaf continuously undergoes the process of oxidation, which creates a beautiful aged patina.
The painting is surrounded by a thin orange brocade, and a crème coloured silk border. Protected by a black wooden frame with its original hardware.
Considering the age, which is approximately 120-150 years old, in a good condition. There are some to be expected sign of age and wear, and some old restorations. Please check the pictures as a condition reference.
Dimensions:
Total width 130.6 cm (2 x 22.3 cm and 4 x 21.5 cm), Height 57.7 cm.
Due to its small size, and because it is very light in weight it can be easily mounted flat on a wall and presented as one piece of art.
When shipped we will add a certificate of authenticity.
