Panel - Hardwood - Vietnam - Inlaid panel (No reserve price)

My estimate is that the panel comes from Vietnam, possibly from the second half of the 20th century. There are several clues: The depiction: the landscape with tropical trees, houses by the water and people in traditional clothing fits with decorative art from Vietnam. The material: the light, iridescent ornaments resemble pieces of mother-of-pearl embedded in a dark background. The technique: in Vietnam there is an ancient tradition of mother-of-pearl inlay in wood, known as khảm trai. The black background: it provides a strong contrast with the mother-of-pearl and the reddish-brown accents. Vietnamese craft villages, such as Chuyên Mỹ near Hanoi, are known for their traditional mother-of-pearl inlay. Note: based on the photos alone I cannot determine the country of origin with certainty. China and other Asian countries also have similar techniques. The panel appears to consist of a wooden support with a black lacquered finish. The decoration is likely made up of: Mother-of-pearl: the whitish, glossy parts of the trees, houses, figures and plants. Black lacquer or a dark finish: the background on which the scene is visible. Reddish-brown accents: possibly lacquer, paint or another decorative finish. In traditional mother-of-pearl inlay, small shell pieces are carefully cut and set into a wooden surface. This is a labor-intensive artisanal craft. The photos show a detailed depiction, but I cannot say with certainty whether all parts are inlaid by hand. Possible period: circa 1960–1990. Origin: probably Vietnam. Type: decorative wall panel with mother-of-pearl inlay.

Estimate:£3.38

View all items fromCatawikiorAsian Art