Pair of Architectural Valances

Ancient Chinese architecture has set principles of design and that can be traced back three thousand years or more—to the early Zhou Dynasty. The beauty of the classic timber framework buildings was often enhanced with gilded paintings or elaborately carved embellishments, like this striking pair of wooden valances. Architectural elements of this size and age are exceedingly rare: the valances were made over 250 years ago in the Shanxi region of China.