Carved Charcoal or Stone Bas-Relief Panel

This item is a rectangular vertical panel, likely composed of compressed charcoal, carbonized wood, or a dark, matte slate stone. It features an intricate, shallow-relief carving of a floral or botanical motif, possibly representing long-leafed grasses or stylized bamboo. The surface is monochromatic black with a dull, matte finish, which makes the incised lines appear as lighter highlights due to the way they catch the light. Structurally, the panel shows a significant vertical fracture running near the left edge, indicating a brittle material composition. There are visible chips along the top and bottom edges, revealing a slightly lighter interior texture than the aged surface. The craftsmanship suggests a folk art or mid-20th-century decorative style, characterized by fluid, organic linework that contrasts with the stiff, rectangular substrate. No maker's marks are immediately visible on the face, though the irregular edges suggest it may have been part of a larger architectural installation or a set of decorative screens. The patina is consistent with age and handling, with dust settling in the recessed carvings and subtle variations in the black tone across the flat planes.