Chinese decorative panels, China, early 20th century

14,5 x 26 cm

Pair of Chinese wooden and painted decorative panels for furniture with Jianding (certified) export approval seal on the back, one panel also with an old label hand-written in Chinese. 
In the 1980s and 1990s, antique objects exported from China, specifically those considered "cultural relics," were subject to a stamp or seal from the Chinese authorities. This stamp, known as a jianding 检定, was an inspection seal indicating that the object had been approved for export and was legally removed from China. This practice was a part of China's efforts to control the export of cultural heritage and protect its historical artifacts.