During the period between the two World Wars, artist Jean Dunand stood out in the Art Deco movement, creating sophisticated and diverse lacquered items, that is, decorated with resin and artistic techniques originating from China and Japan.

An admirer of Dunand and an avid collector of Japanese and Chinese lacquerware, Mr Calouste Gulbenkian acquired a folding screen by Dunand, as well as some books whose bindings include various elements made by him.