Screen with Jinshan

CHINA; Qing dynasty

This jade screen was created during the rule of Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736–1795) of the Qing dynasty. It is mounted on a wooden frame and is engraved on both sides. On the front, there is a relief of Jinshan, where mountains and rocks rise and fall, surrounded by fast-flowing rivers. A temple stands with a pagoda on the peak of the mountain. The scene is accompanied by a poem written by Emperor Qianlong, and the back is inscribed with a second poem by the emperor relating to the story of the poet Su Shi, who failed the Buddhist test set by his friend, Chan Master Foyin, at Jinshan Temple. The frame of the screen and its supporting structure are made of wood, elegantly decorated with grass and cloud patterns, and human figures. The jade screen, together with its wooden frame and support, are exquisitely carved in great detail, resulting in a fine example of Chinese jade carving from the Qing dynasty.