Foldable screens have a long history in China

As some experts put it, in the late 17th century, Anhui businesspeople shipped screens to the coastal regions of Guangdong and Fujian, where the furniture was then exported to Europe.

Guangzhou, now capital of Guangdong province, represented a key part in the supply chain, a place where the screens were shipped, lacquer was applied, and painting was done. It was also a port for exporting the finished products.

Most of the wares exported to Europe were black with gold-traced painting. After reaching their destination, the screens were transformed as requested by patrons, with some dismantled into smaller pieces for decoration, said scholar He Zhenji.