Japanese folding screen representing a flower cart, late Edo period, 19th c

This 19th-century Japanese six-leaf folding screen illustrates the theme of the flower chariot (hanaguruma), a major subject in decorative painting of the Edo period. Inherited from the aristocratic aesthetic of the Heian period, this iconography has always been highly valued.

The composition depicts a large black lacquer chariot, enhanced with gold, laden with vibrant flowers, placed behind a stylized bamboo fence and in front of a pine tree. The gold leaf background reflects the light, giving the whole a monumental dimension. A cloud of gold partially obscures the upper part of the scene.

The painting combines mineral pigments and applications of gofun (oyster shell powder), which accentuate the relief of certain flowers, the baskets containing the bouquets, and the fence.

The flowers depicted carry strong symbolic value in Japanese art: the peony, queen of flowers, evokes wealth and prosperity; the pine, a symbol of longevity; the prunus, associated with spring and renewal; the chrysanthemum, an imperial and autumnal flower; and the hydrangea, a symbol of gratitude and elegance. Their combination celebrates the cycle of the seasons and traditional virtues.

This Japanese screen from the Edo period demonstrates the continuity of the great classical themes at the dawn of the Meiji era, while retaining a decorative power that naturally finds its place in a contemporary interior.

Silk and lacquer frame with brass reinforcements.

170 x 376 cm