Pair of Lattice Paneled Doors

This pair of 19th century Chinese doors evokes life in an aristocratic Chinese courtyard home. Creating this tight floral lattice pattern was like putting a puzzle together; very different from making fretwork by carving or perforating a solid panel. Short pieces of carved wood were mortise and tenon joined together with long pieces of carved wood to make this tight sophisticated pattern. The lattice is framed in intricately carved trailing vines and the upper panels are finely carved with highly dimensional scenes depicting scholars at leisure in garden landscapes.