Featured Help With Oriental Glass Triptych

Hello-
Can any of you help me identify what I have here? It's a folding glass triptych set in a hinged metal frame. The glass is cut and painted on the reverse. The subject is cranes. That middle section measures about 13-1/4" by 8-3/4" to give you a sense of its size. The metal (is it copper?) at least has a copper finish. Oriental (are they Japanese?) characters run down the left side of the center panel. Can anyone read them? It was coated with attic grime when acquired. I need help with what I have here-any thoughts will be appreciated.

 

Courtesy of Google Translate Japanese to English.

 

Google translate is a bit confused, the name is Chinese.
I remember these miniature screens as Chinese souvenirs when I was in Hongkong. They are also used as houseplant screens.

 

Thank you. I'm not the least surprised that Google Translate is confused. Here's what it comes up with when instructed to use Chinese.

Debora



AI has this to add:

"Xuande Wushen Clocks and Watches is a specialized Chinese manufacturer and wholesale supplier of horological products based in Guangdong province, China. The company focuses primarily on producing affordable consumer timepieces, including mechanical watches, quartz watches, and wall clocks."

Debora

 

Maybe it was a corporate gift.

 

My first thought would be a Chinese or possibly Japanese reverse-painted glass table screen rather than something I’d confidently call Japanese from the photos alone.

The crane, bamboo/foliage and vertical inscription are very typical East Asian decorative motifs, and the hinged three-panel format looks like a miniature folding screen made for display. I’d guess early-to-mid 20th century unless there are construction details that point earlier.

I’d be very careful cleaning it. If the decoration is reverse-painted directly on the glass, I would avoid getting any cleaner or moisture onto the painted side until you know exactly how stable the paint is.

A close-up of the inscription, the hinges, the back of the frame and any marks on the metal would probably help narrow down the country and date quite a bit.

 

Thanks for your thoughts everybody! I cleaned it already. The paint is stable but I was careful.

 

It's not going to be terribly old. @Any Jewelry , when were you in Hong Kong?

Debora

 

I was there in 1972. But I am sure miniature screens are still made. Maybe slightly different, but the same concept.

 

I also wouldn’t put too much weight on the subject matter when deciding between Chinese and Japanese. Cranes, bamboo and calligraphy travelled across both traditions, and decorative pieces made for export often mixed styles anyway. The inscription is probably going to be the best clue if someone can read it clearly.

The metalwork may help as well. If the hinges, feet or frame have any stamped marks, numbers or maker’s symbols, photograph those before doing anything to the surface. Even a tiny mark can sometimes lead to a workshop or export manufacturer.

 

The metal frame design makes me think Chinese.