What's it worth? Appraisal of vintage carved changing screen

Dear Walt,
 
This hand carved screen was created by a screen wood carver in the Sasebo Japan area in the 1950’s, my father commissioned this artist to create the screen.
 
I believe the wood to be teak, but not sure, very heavy and the carvings are on 1 side only, plain wood backing.
 
The dimensions are:

 Each panel is 20 1/2” Wide X 69 1/2” Long X 1 1/4 Deep   
Total 4 panels is 82” Wide X 69 1/2” Long  X 1 1/4 Deep
 When folded is 20 1/2” Wide X 69 1/2” Long X 5 1/4 Deep
 
It is in great condition.
 
Please appraise.
 
Thank you,
 

AW says:  It’s very possible that this is carved from teak. The carving appears to be of a very good quality and no doubt depicts a local scene from the Sabeso area of Japan. “Changing screens” really served two functions, 1 as a privacy wall and room divider and 2nd, as a room decoration.

The better screens like your’s served both purposes, the cheaper screens really didn’t offer much in privacy, but were really just a cheaper decoration. A tourist item if you will.

There were many Japanese artists doing such work at the time, so while your screen is wonderful, it’s not exceptionally rare, although it is one of a kind, being that it’s hand carved.

Decorators love these.

Retail value: $500-$700

Wholesale value: $300

Quick sale: $200