Antique Shibayama Japanese Folding Dressing Privacy Screen, Japanese Vintage Room Divider
Lewes, United Kingdom
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Dimensions
Wear Condition
Good
Material
Other Wood
Style
Antique, Oriental, Victorian
Product Details
Description
This Japanese Shibayama Two Piece Dressing or Vanity Screen is a wonderful antique piece of art which is also superbly functional. It dates from the late 1800s which in Japan was the late Edo to early Meiji period. Shibayama is the name given to the decorative technique of using semi prevcious materials to create elaborate and three dimensional designs. This screen has beautiful designs of Roosters, blossoms and trees on it. It is in very good order for its age and would make a superb vintage addition to your home as a room divider, vanity screen or artistic accent to the decor.
There is a rooster on each of the individual screens - Rooster are one of the 12 Chinese zodiac symbols, which are referenced in Japanese culture too. Roosters as we know represent the new dawn, the awakening - quite apt for a screen which probably served as a dressing or vanity screen when the owner got up and dressed in the morning. Roosters are also highly regarded for their protective and strong characters. They are of course very attractive with their vast plumage, giving artists lots of creative licence when it comes to depicting them in Shiyabama craft.
The Roosters are beautifully made out of those semi precious materials including ivory, mother of pearl, tortoise shell. Maybe not de rigeur nowadays butin Victorian ages, it was symbloci of valuing these natural resources and allowing them to be 'shown off' in society through art. Various woods are also used in the screen, including a lacquered wood as the main background, and some Far Eastern hardwood for the main dark wood frame - which is also beautifully carved with botanical and avian detail. The lacquered wood background has beautiful flowers painted on it to add to the prettiness and floral/botanical/nature theme of the screen.
The screen has two beautifully paired pieces, it is quite likely there would have been additional screens attached at some point. Similarly, there reverse of the screen may also have had some decorative detail. Not as elaborate and bold as the front, but some floral painting and maybe some small 2D elements. The reverse is now a plain lacquered wood canvas with some subtle indications of past decoration - the lack thereof does not detract from this gorgeous piece. The front certainly makes up for it.
Smashing two piece antique screen for varied uses. Hugely attractive and a statement piece of Japanese art. Please see photos and video.
Size : each panel is 181cm tall and 73cm wide, which means opened up flat it will be 181cm tall and approx 150cm wide
Condition report:
This is an antique and so the condition will show age and odd marks. But it is in very good shape and is ready to use. The screen currently sits on lovely delicate wheels. These screens were often imported to Europe and American when oriental pieces grew in popularity, perhaps the wheels were added for European tastes too. I would be careful using the wheels. As an fyi, the top carved pieces of wood are loose too for easy assembly and cleaning presumably, so watch out for that.
Additional dimensions information:
Size : each panel is 181cm tall and 73cm wide, which means opened up flat it will be 181cm tall and approx 150cm wide
Wear Condition
Good
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Additional Delivery Info from Seller
We aim to get our items out approx 3 days after oorder; most deliveries take 3-4 days, some less! However large items being sent by hand delivery will take around two weeks.
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Estimated delivery time
Less than one week
Free collection available
Yes
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Reviews
4.98
Based on 46 reviews
Wear conditions
Excellent
Shows little to no signs of wear and tear.
Good
May show slight traces of use in keeping with age. Most vintage and antique items fit into this condition.
Average
Likely to show signs of some light scratching and ageing but still remains in a fair condition.
Apparent Wear and Tear
Visible signs of previous use including scratches, chips or stains.
Please refer to condition report, images or make a seller enquiry for additional information.
Cancellations and Returns
Last updated: 12/02/2026
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14-day return guarantee
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| Order Value (£) | Fee (£) |
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| 0 — 49.99 | 2.75 |
| 50 — 99.99 | 5.50 |
| 100 — 199.99 | 11.00 |
| 200 — 399.99 | 21.00 |
| 400 — 599.99 | 30.00 |
| 600 — 799.99 | 40.00 |
| 800 — 999.99 | 50.00 |
| 1,000 — 1,499.99 | 55.00 |
| 1,500 — 1,999.99 | 60.00 |
| 2,000 — 4,999.99 | 82.50 |
| 5,000+ | 110.00 |
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