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Two Early Chinese Boxwood Carvings of Immortals browse these categories for related items... All Items: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese: Wood: Pre 1800: item # 1096030
Ruyi Studio San Francisco By Appointment San Francisco, CA 94131 415.990.3524 Guest Book $1,200.00 |
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| Two early and large huang-yang mu (Boxwood) figural carvings, late Ming to very early Ching Dynasty (17th /18th C). Roughly cylindrical in shape, each openwork piece has been carved from a single section of boxwood. The back of each piece is carved as a tree with overhanging branches and rich foliage beneath which are one immortal or divine figure on horseback flanked by two attendants. The central and most elaborately costumed figure wears an important headdress and rides an elegantly appointed horse which walks on lingzhi-shaped clouds, a symbol of immortality. As an indication of his importance, in one of the carvings, he grasps in his upraised right hand a rather attenuated, serpent-like dragon. The companion carving is similar, except that this same figure is shown holding a lute. At the front of this entourage another attendant lifts the overhanging branches and foliage to clear the way, while another attendant walks behind wielding a fly-whisk, another symbol of the importance of the central figure. Black pigment has been used only to enhance the eyebrows and eyes of the figures. One of the carvings retains a faint dedicatory inscription in black ink along the base indicating that these were gift offerings of some sort, perhaps to a temple. Boxwood species (Buxus / genus: Buxaceae) yield a highly prized, precious wood and are extremely slow growing small trees or shrubs. It is evident that these carvings were fashioned from very old and large trunks. Condition: one (with inscription) has an age split on the underside which has caused a separation (but no losses) to the horse’s front leg above. Condition: Some overall chips and splits, the most noticeable are a shallow chip on the headdress of the central figure and to one of the attendants, and some chipping at an undecorated, approximately one-inch area, at the top rim; the other carving has similar chips in a short section just below the top rim. These are in excellent condition for their age. Please see the attached six photographs. (Additional detailed photographs of all surfaces will be emailed to you on request.) Measuring approximately 13-16cm across the widest points of the roughly oval base, each carving stands approximately 26cm height (10-1/4”) and weighs 1kg 225grams (2 lbs 11.2 ounces) and 1kg 286grams (2 lbs13.3 ounces). Shipping charges apply. Copyright (c) 2011 by Robert McCaffrey for Ruyi Studio San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. | ||
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