Carved Peony Valance

This architectural valance from the early 19th century is beautifully carved in low relief, with a meandering floral design outlined by striking, high-contrast shadows. The valance is adorned with trailing ivy and several peony blossoms, symbolizing wealth, honor, and virtue. Hand-carved in China's Shanxi province, this valance represents the masterful craftsmanship sought by wealthy homeowners, who would have commissioned it as an architectural detail for their courtyard home at the height of the Qing Dynasty.