Painting, reading, music and singing are the four pastimes of these delightful 'courtesans or ladies' in a Chinese landscape or garden setting. Each rectangular black wall panel is hand painted and decorated in relief with carved soapstone as well as some jadeite and possibly carnelian & onyx. Each courtesan is beautifully dressed in traditional Chinese robes, all made of hand carved pieces of stone as are the leaves of the trees, and the clouds. They are quite detailed and lovely to look at, the colours are nicely matured unlike newer sets. The first close up is taken with the sun, and the colours really come out nicely. The true colour is best represented in the main photographs. The backs are plain black. The panels are in good condition, there is a little wear on the tops where the Chinoiserie brass hanging brackets have rubbed each other in storage previously. The best colour representation in the main photograph. Measurements W12" x 4, H36".
