Three-panel screen with Japanese paintings, 18th/19th century. Left: A Japanese beauty walking with an umbrella, a young attendant to her sideCenter: An autumn picnic with a Japanese couple in a landscapeRight: Two scenes featuring a Japanese brothel (house of pleasure); the uppermost with a courtesan and client relaxing in a private room; the lower with a prostitute (courtesan) attempting to entice a client walking by the front of the establishment.Paintings are in ink and color executed in the style associated with the first half of the 18th century. Appears to be later applied to a wood understructure and framed by a shaped red-lacquer border with gilt accents, each with a gilt-foil applied and wooden surround incised with stylized wisteria vines. The reverse of each panel with a glossy black-painted ground and bound together by hinges. Small painting to the reverse (again, characteristically Japanese in style and subject matter) It seems that the screen, originally 4 panel, was decorated on either side but the reverse panel surfaces were most likely 'painted' over. Panel size: 65 1/2" x 24 3/4". Overall length: 74".