Twelve panel coromandel screen, China, Kangxi Period, 17th century, lacquer over wood, front side depicts a complex classical palace scene, with the interior of the castle depicted to the left, center showing dignitaries approaching the castle walls, exterior view of the castle to the right depicts the battle of General Guo Ziyi (697-781 A.D., immortalized as God of Richness and Happiness), surrounding these scenes are an interior border flanked by panels filled with stylized four clawed dragons and other mythical beasts, denoting the importance, and possible nobility, of the previous owner; back panel depicts a dignitary in center of structure, amidst magical spirits, mythical beings and natural forces, including cranes and doe, all surrounded by a triple border of natural and floral elements, each panel 107" h x 19 1/4" w. See similar 16th century coromandel screen at Duke University. Provenance: Purchased from the Durand estate, from the descendants of John Milton Durand (1823-1907), kept in the Durand Mansion in Pasadena, CA, then transferred to the heirs in Monarch Beach, CA, from where it was purchased by the current lifetime collector.