Antique Chinese Openwork Wood Carving – Scholar’s Desk Screen or Altar Panel with Floral Motifs (15” Tall)

This finely executed antique Chinese wood carving features an openwork pierced design composed of flowing floral and foliate forms, likely representing peony blossoms and scrolling vines—symbols of prosperity, refinement, and renewal in Chinese decorative arts. Carved in high relief with deep piercing, the piece demonstrates skilled handwork and an appreciation for negative space, creating visual depth and lightness despite its solid wood construction. The sculpture is mounted on an integral rectangular base, suggesting use as a scholar’s desk ornament, small altar panel, or decorative screen element, rather than architectural salvage. The darkened surface patina, softened edges, tool marks, and natural age splits to the base are consistent with genuine age and long-term interior use. Likely dating to the late Qing dynasty to early Republic period (late 19th to early 20th century), this piece would have appealed to the literati tradition, where carved objects referencing nature were di