Gold Leaf Paintings and Screens

Kano School painting, reminiscent of early Kano School paintings, in sumi (ink) and minimal pigments on gold leaf with a silk brocade border.

With raised twig fence and poultry cages (used for chicken, pheasants, etc). Wood vine on the fence, and some seasonal flowers in bloom. Delicately painted with wonderful colors and ...

An amazing pair of six-panel hinagata byôbu (doll festival folding screens) with a continuous painting on gold leaf showcasing flower carts (hana’guruma) at the edge of a winding river. Both laden with a large bamboo basket...

This is a beautiful antique six-fold Japanese screen. The design is beautifully detailed with buildings, people and animals, among gold leaf clouds. The clouds have raised gofun gess...

Japanese six-panel screen: Women of the Court in the Garden. Edo period (circa 1700) painting of an early Kano school subject matter: nobility socializing in a coutryard garden. Deta...

Two framed panels by Yamamoto Shunkyo depicting a carp (koi) leaping from a river. Ink and gold leaf on paper. Instinctively brushed in a freehand s...

One of our finest hand painted Tibetan Thangkas from Nepal. This extraordinary Thangka depicts 108 Buddhas with consorts in celestial court witnessing Amitabha's achievement of nirva...

Early 19th Century Rimpa School Floral Screen Period: Early 19th Century Dimensions: 367x171 cm (144.5x67.3 inches) SKU: RJ118 This 6-panel gold-leafed screen is a splendid represe...

Very unusual 16th century furosaki byobu (screen used for tea ceremony). Painting of two Usubata (bronze containers) displaying bonsai. Mineral pigments on very heavy gold leaf with ...

Ribbons of 17th century calligraphy poems are mounted on an 18th century screen with a woven bamboo motif. These poems are aristocratic Waka poem...

Early 19th Century Rimpa School Floral Screen Period: Early 19th Century Dimensions: 367x171 cm (144.5x67.3 inches) SKU: RJ118/2 This 6-panel gold-leafed screen is a splendid repre...

Impressive pair of Japanese two-panel byobu screens featuring late 18th-century edo period applied vignettes, poems, and paintings in various formats over a dramatic gold leaf square...

Japanese two panel screen: Nara Deer in Gentle Yoshino Landscape. Yoshino is in the Nara Prefecture, an area famous for these small and tame deer native to J...

This work uses an antique furisode (festive kind of kimono with long sleeves) with peacock feathers - a symbol of royalty and prosperity. Can be used both vertically and horizontall...

Plum blossom, baby pine and bamboo painted in mineral pigments on heavy gold leaf on paper. Silk brocade border with black lacquer trim and bronze hardware.

Impressive pair of Japanese screens from the Taisho period meiji. Each six-panel screen depicts an image from the 24 paragons of filial piety ...

Japanese two-panel screen: Ikebana on gold. Meiji period (1868-1912) painting of a basket with beautifully arranged spring flowers in the style of ikebana (Japanese traditional flowe...

Kano School painting depicting an interior with finery such as a lacquer table, silk textiles, and other paintings. The fusuma doors appear to be a famous...

Taisho Golden Fan Screen Period: Meiji Size: 190x171 cm Step into a world of elegance with our exquisite two-panel Taisho screen adorned in gold, depicting fans adorned with vario...

Whimsical Japanese late Edo period two-panel screen circa 1800 by Yokoyama Kazan (Japanese 1784-1837). The screen depicts four of the seven Gods or deities ...

Set of 8 Asian Chinese (19th century) gouache paintings of traditionally clad figures framed in modern gilt faux bamboo frames.

People dressed in ceremonial robes and masks celebrate the New Year. On New Year's eve a traditional Japanese custom is to ward off evil spirits by pretending to chase away people w...

< This work uses a vintage kimono fabric with marble pattern, that makes it look like a real piece of marble. The line in the middle symbolizes “kintsugi” - concept of wabi-sabi, which values imperfection, impermanence, and the beauty of aging. It is elegantly framed with paulownia wood originally used for kimono chest-of-drawers, and is filled with storytelling and sense of luxury. I used pieces of kimono that could no longer be used as clothing and kiritansu chest-of-drawers that would normally be discarded to create the ultimate upcycled piece. << Explanation and meaning of pattern and colors Kintsugi (金継ぎ), which translates to "golden joinery" or "golden repair," is a traditional Japanese art form of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. I used this tecnique here to "repair" antique kimono by transforming it into art work. Beyond its literal meaning of mending broken ceramics, kintsugi carries profound philosophical and cultural significance in Japanese tradition: ・Embracing Imperfection: Kintsugi celebrates imperfection and impermanence. Rather than disguising or concealing flaws, it highlights them, treating the breakage as part of the object's history. This philosophy encourages acceptance of imperfection as an essential aspect of life, beauty, and human experience. ・Wabi-Sabi Aesthetic: Kintsugi embodies the principles of wabi-sabi, an aesthetic worldview centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. Wabi-sabi values simplicity, authenticity, and the beauty of things that are imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. Kintsugi exemplifies these principles by turning what might be considered flaws into features that enhance the object's beauty and character. ・Resilience and Transformation: The act of repairing broken things with precious metals symbolizes resilience and transformation. Instead of discarding or replacing the broken object, kintsugi honors its history and transforms it into something new and valuable. This reflects broader philosophical themes of overcoming adversity, finding beauty in imperfection, and embracing change. ・Honoring the Past: Kintsugi preserves and honors the history of the object. Rather than erasing or ignoring its past, it acknowledges and celebrates it. This aspect of kintsugi can be seen as a metaphor for honoring our own personal histories, including the challenges and setbacks we have faced, and recognizing how they have shaped us into who we are today. ・Spiritual and Philosophical Symbolism: Kintsugi has spiritual and philosophical implications, reflecting concepts such as the interconnectedness of all things, the cycle of life and death, and the pursuit of harmony and balance. The process of repairing broken objects with precious metals is seen as a metaphor for spiritual growth, enlightenment, and the journey towards wholeness. Overall, kintsugi represents not only a practical technique for repairing ceramics but also a profound philosophical and cultural perspective on life, beauty, and the human experience. It embodies values such as resilience, acceptance, and the transformative power of embracing imperfection. << Characteristics of the fabric This vintage textile is hand-painted with a traditional painting technique where the colors are added on wet surface, which creates an effect of marble. << About the frame Kiritansu - chest-of-drawers for kimono, is traditionally made from paulownia wood, a uniquely Japanese material closely tied to the world of kimonos. Paulownia wood is known as the lightest wood in Japan, prased for its natural luster, resistance to moisture, and resilience against cracking. Since ancient times, it has been used in crafting furniture, chests, and musical instruments. During the Edo period, it became customary to store cherished kimonos in paulownia chests...

Antique Japanese screen with Festival Cart design. Edo period painting (First half of the 19th century) of one brown lacquer cart and one bla...

A pair of carved giltwood Chippendale crossed palm frames, with inset hand-painted chinoiserie portraits of 18th century oriental nobility. We a...

Japanese two-panel screen: Peony and Cherry, Edo period (circa 1800) painting, formerly fusuma (Japanese sliding doors), executed in the Kano school style, featuring a cherry tree in...

The Mughal miniature portrait, created with a single-hair brush on delicate rice paper and embellished with 24k gold water, depicts the noble Mughal Emperor Akbar and his esteemed consort, Jodha Bai. This exquisite artwork exemplifies the pinnacle of Mughal artistry, renowned for its intricate detail and luxurious use of materials. At the center of the composition, Emperor Akbar is portrayed with an air of majestic authority and wisdom. He is dressed in regal attire, featuring rich textiles adorned with elaborate patterns. The gold water applied to his garments and accessories adds a shimmering, ethereal quality, highlighting the emperor's status and the richness of his attire. His turban is prominently adorned with a jeweled ornament, enhancing his royal presence. Akbar's expression is composed and contemplative, reflecting his reputation as a wise and benevolent ruler. Beside him stands Jodha Bai, exuding grace and elegance. Her attire is a masterpiece of Mughal textile...

< The frame for this work is made of paulownia wood taken from antique Kiritansu - chest-of-drawers for kimono. I use antique kiritansu that can’t be used as furniture anymore to create basis and frames for my works. It adds them even more authentic atmosphere of traditional wabisabi spirit. Can you feel it? The piece uses the concept of "kintsugi" - it "unites" the pieces of antique kimono back together with golden leaf to give it a second wind as art work. << Period / Story The kimono used in this piece was originally crafted during the late Showa period (1960-80ies). << Explanation and meaning of pattern and colors The Japanese saying goes, "A crane lives a thousand years, a tortoise lives ten thousand years," making cranes a symbol of longevity. Cranes are also known for staying with the same partner for their entire lives, which is why they are often used at weddings and other celebrations to symbolize "marital bliss" and the desire for harmony between husband and wife. On this particular piece, cranes are flying through snow woven on the fabric, as if they are overcoming all the disasters to get to their beloved ones. The color scarlet, or deeply dyed red, used for the most of the cranes here, has long been associated with the meaning of "warding off evil." It is believed to possess the power to repel malevolent forces and invite good fortune. During the Heian period, scarlet was reserved for sacred buildings and ceremonial objects that held great significance. Ordinary people were prohibited from wearing scarlet-red kimonos, which made it a highly special color. << Characteristics of the fabric Cranes, going up and down, are generously decorated by kimpaku here. "Kimpaku" (金箔) refers to gold leaf/foil in Japanese. Gold leaf is a traditional material used in various aspects of Japanese culture, including art, crafts, and even in culinary applications. In traditional Japanese art, gold leaf is often applied to religious objects, sculptures, paintings, and lacquerware to create a luxurious and decorative effect. The use of gold leaf in art dates back centuries and is associated with a sense of wealth, prestige, and the divine. Traditional kimpaku technique is used here to make an accent decoration in the middle. << About the frame This artwork frame is crafted from paulownia wood, a uniquely Japanese material closely tied to the world of kimonos, and it serves to convey the refined beauty of Japanese nature. Paulownia wood is known as the lightest wood in Japan, prased for its natural luster, resistance to moisture, and resilience against cracking. Since ancient times, it has been used in crafting furniture, chests, and musical instruments. Paulownia wood is closely linked to kimono culture. During the Edo period, it became customary to store cherished kimonos in paulownia chests...

Majestic Hawks Edo Screen Period: Edo Size: 150x168 cm (59x66 inches) SKU: PTA93 Step back in time to the Edo period with our superb Tosa school screen d...

Well listed Chinese Artist Yamin Young. "View from the Terrace". Mixed-media on handmade rice paper, mounted to the fabric base, protected by the plexiglas...

<< Story behind the work Obi fabric I used for this artwork is taken from three different over 100-years-old antique sashes, and is framed in wood taken from antique ...

Japanese Two Panel Screen: Peonies In the Mist. Showa period (1926 - 1945) painting in oil on canvas of peonies with gold and silver dust clouds. Signature reads, Seishu.

Japanese Two Panel Screen: Trees in Floral Landscape, Edo period painting (mid 19th century) of pine and other trees amongst flowers, with bamboo shoots on the right panel, and white...

Japanese two-panel screen, deco landscape with river fans. Modern scene of a 12th century festival in Kyoto in which fans are sent down the Kamo River and caught downstream. Taisho (...

The Genpei War took place from 1180–1185, during which the Minamoto clan rebelled against the Taira clan for control of Japan. The two clans had a bitter rivalry for years, and the M...

Mineral pigments on gold. Not signed, by Baikei Hitsu.