Four-panels screen in brown Coromandel lacquer, presenting on the main face a scene of a court and on the other of birds among lush vegetation. Both scenes are framed by medallions on the low and high borders, and by plant friezes in the narrow borders.

The main side shows a scene of preparations for a festivity within the walls of a palace. The peaches, shown as a fruit in the center of the scene but also as a decorative motif in the central pavilion and the pavilion on the right panel, evoke the peach of longevity, a very important symbol in China. The earliest known mention dates back to the 3rd century in a writing of the poet Zhang Hua. This fruit gives the one who eats it eternal youth and immortality and is the object of all lust.

The reverse side is also ornamented, which is a sign of great luxury.

It has a decoration of birds in branches. These are the Hundred Birds paying homage to the Phoenix, a scene found on many screens. One can see the phoenix on the third leaf, surrounded by cranes (second leaf), quails (fourth leaf), magpies.

The medallions are symbols of good omen. The high border shows peach branches and chrysanthemum flowers (symbol of nobility, durability, honor) in vases; fruits such as peach, persimmon, and mangosteen (medicinal properties). There are also teapots and a calabash (húlu). The lower border shows flowers such as chrysanthemums, sometimes with birds.

China, 19th century

Height : 70.9 in / 180 cm – width: 66 in / 168 cm (4 panels 16.5 in / 42 cm)