Byôbu 屏風 (folding screen) - Silver leaf, Lacquer, Paper - Japan - Taishō period (1912-1926)

Byôbu are traditional Japanese folding screens used both as room dividers and decorative art pieces, often richly adorned with paintings and precious materials. This example from the Taishō period (1912-1926) features silver leaf and lacquer on paper, a combination that reflects the era's blend of traditional techniques with modern influences. The use of silver leaf imparts a luminous, elegant effect, enhancing the visual impact of the screen's imagery. During the Taishō period, byôbu were popular in both ceremonial and domestic settings, serving as canvases for seasonal motifs, landscapes, or narrative scenes. Such folding screens are prized for their artistic quality, craftsmanship, and cultural representation of early 20th-century Japan.