A JAPANESE SET OF 2 TALL 2-PANEL SCREENS DEPICTING CHINESE WARRIORS, 1918

A pair of large two-panel byôbu 屏風 (folding screen) with a refined polychrome painting on silk of a winter scene. A company of three Chinese warriors are riding through a snow-covered pine forest.
Their horses are lightly packed, though with extravagant equipment. The men are seemingly not dressed for the cold weather, appearing in high quality thin silk robes. Though all carry a weapon on their back. The most stern warrior is clad in a black silk attire adorned by a dragon design and brocade details. They represent figures from ‘Sanguo zhi’ 三國志 (Records of the Three Kingdoms). A Chinese imperial history that covers the end of the Han dynasty (c. 184–220 CE) and the following Three Kingdoms period (220–280 CE) The left screen with an inscription at the back. Dating it ‘Taishô 7’大正七年, Anno 1918, and stating that the pair was made at request of Ôzuka Wazaburô 大塚和三郎 for the collection of the Ôzuka family. This pair was made after the artist Shinoda Hôgaku 篠田豊岳, who was active in the first quarter of the 19th century. The right screen even bears a signature and seals attributing it to his name. Colour and ink on silk. The snow covering the tree trunks and branches have slightly shimmering texture accents. Protected by a black lacquered frame with its original hardware. Total width: 378 cm.
Total width single screen: 189 cm (2 by 94.5 cm); Height: 181 cm.
In a very good original condition with some minor traces of wear of silk along the upper rims.