What is the meaning of the screen
Oct 19, 2021
The screen is an indispensable appliance in the life of the ancients, and it occupies an important position in the history of ancient furniture.
The so-called "screen" is also "barrier", and "screen" is also called screen door or barrier, which refers to the screen set between doors and windows. The ancient houses were mostly civil-built courtyards, of course, they were not as strong and dense as modern reinforced-concrete houses. Therefore, in order to block the wind, the ancients began to make furniture such as screens, and often placed the screens behind the bed or on both sides of the bed to achieve the effect of windshield. In Han Liuxi's "Shi Ming·Shi Bed Tent" said: "The screen can be used to block the wind." That is to say, the screen has the function of blocking the wind, sheltering, and compartments.
Screens are important furniture and decorations in ancient Chinese homes. Their shapes, patterns and texts all contain a lot of cultural information, which can express the elegance of literati and gentlemen, but also contain the profound connotation of people's prayers for good fortune and prosperity. All kinds of screens also condense the creative wisdom and ingenious technology of craftsmen.
As a kind of practical furniture, the screen first appeared in the Western Zhou Dynasty. As it is widely and universally used, its types are also increasing. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the screen transitioned from practicality to decoration. The screen is no longer a simple shielding object, but has evolved into a work of art with a decorative function, which is more ornamental. Although the form is small, the connotation is extremely rich. In modern times, the screen has been separated from practicality and existed as an art form. It plays a role in embellishing the environment and beautifying the room.
Screens are generally arranged in conspicuous places in the room, which play a role in separation, beautification, wind shielding, and coordination. It complements each other with classical furniture, complements each other, becomes an integral whole of home decoration, and presents a harmonious and peaceful beauty. The word "screen" makes people feel very poetic. It creates a peaceful space that seems to be separated from each other, and seems to be broken.
In recent years, nostalgia has been blowing in the home furnishing circle. Chinese screens have almost attracted the attention and love of the fashion home furnishing industry all over the world. The cultural heritage it presents and the leisurely and quiet atmosphere created by it happen to be able to make home life. People feel comfortable and comfortable. In this context, a screen cannot be ignored.
In terms of appearance, there are two types of screens: insert screens and surrounding screens. The insert screens are mostly single-fans, with a base, and cannot be folded; the surrounding screens are composed of multiple fans, at least two, and more can reach more than a dozen fans, which can be folded at will. In addition, there are desk screens and hanging screens.
The ancients used indoor compartments and windshield utensils, called screens, or screens for short. The screen has two forms of single-fan board barrier and multi-fan board barrier combined. Mostly lacquered wood floors, and painted or carved. The screens exquisite in the Han Dynasty, the "Salt and Iron Theory" mentioned that the rich at that time, "one screen is worth ten thousand people", it takes ten thousand people's work, which is really laborious and expensive. There are also plain screens or white paper on the barriers for painting inscriptions and poems.
In 1983, a lacquered wood double-sided painted screen was unearthed from the Tomb of the Han Nanyue King in Xianggang, Guangzhou, about 1.8 meters high and 3 meters wide. The system is assembled with five panel barriers, one in the middle is larger, and a small door is specially opened, and the left and right doors can be opened and closed. The owner does not have to walk around on both sides. Exquisite design and extraordinary craftsmanship. If you don't see the real thing, it's hard to imagine that the Han Dynasty screens are so exquisite and gorgeous. The screen is wide and tall. People will not be found behind the screen. In the article "The Record of Night Reading (95)·The Wife of Zhanzhan Will Not Be in the Hall", it is mentioned that Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han Dynasty summoned Song Hong to talk and asked Emperor Guangwu's sister, Princess Huyang, to listen behind the screen. Presumably, the screen at that time was tall and big, and there were people behind the screen, all blocked, and it was very safe.
In the famous work "Han Xizai Night Banquet" by Gu Hongzhong, a painter from the Five Dynasties of the Ming Dynasty, the Southern Tang Dynasty painter, there are many indoor screens with different placement and different functions. This is the actual life scene of the furnishings of the indoor compartments of the Regal House at that time. The screen structure is much simpler and lighter than the Han Dynasty lacquer screen.
