Chinese opera characters are carved in relief on this late 19th century wood roundel. The central character strokes his beard and looks pleased; the figure on the right thrusts his drinking cup aloft. In the background, a barefoot servant runs off holding a small scroll. A bat, Chinese emblem of good fortune, is carved into the base of the piece. While the two main characters on the roundel are in excellent condition, the figure of the running servant is inexplicably worn on the face (see photo ...click for details
Two rectangular wood panels from late 19th century China are hand carved with vases, flowers and graceful trailing foliage in deep relief, each carving set within a cartouche and showcased with gilding applied over dark pomegranate red. These panels once were part of an interior window or door or perhaps integrated into a large piece of furniture. Such panels are often referred to as “temple carvings” because some of them were part of Buddhist temple architecture, rescued as China’s old buildin ...click for details
A pair of architectural panels from 19th century China have an elegantly simple fretwork design. Made of rosewood, the half-round pieces comprising the pattern are fitted together to form curving lines that emphasize the soft sheen of the smooth wood surfaces. Four abstract trees can be seen in the fretwork pattern. In China, these pieces may have been rescued from interior windows of an old house that was demolished, or they may have been part of a large canopied marriage bed. Both panels are ...click for details
A late Qing relief-carved wood panel has ten figures in martial arts poses. Trees and rocks frame two scenes. Touches of original gilding remain on the figures and define foliage in the top scene. The panel once was part of a larger piece such as a screen or perhaps a bench. It shows uneven wear, with the only the two figures at bottom right worn and weathered so that their features are no longer distinct. Overall, this late 19th century panel is in quite good and solid condition. Dimensions: he ...click for details
A 19th century panel carved in deep relief is centered with an official riding a chi lin, a mythical beast that was an ancient Chinese symbol of high rank. Part unicorn, part dragon, part lion, the chi lin is carefully carved with regal head, a flowing three-pronged tail and scales. Two attendants stand by on either side of the rider holding a fan and tray of food. The ends of the panel are carved with graceful flowers--lotus, emblem of fruitfulness on one end; peonies, omen of good fortune on t ...click for details
This mid-19th century wood carving of two riders in a match similar to polo originally was part of a larger piece, as indicated by its two unfinished ends. It was taken from a longer panel, perhaps with a series of carvings that were on a door or screen. The horsemen are in ceremonial dress and once held long sticks that now are missing from the scene. They are surrounded by trees and foliage, and two low clouds swirl around the runner in front. Although the piece shows damage to the riders' ...click for details
A tall, thin scholar in a flowing robe centers this late 19th/early 20th century Chinese wood carving. He holds a fan and strikes a pose of the privileged as his little servant stands by on the left. The scholar presumably is on a stroll through his garden, a spot where the Chinese literati were said to spend a good deal of their time and where they often were shown in paintings and carvings. The deep relief carving is inside an octagon, which is contained within a rectangular cartouche. The pan ...click for details
Nicely grained beechwood gives this pair of late 19th century Chinese panels a smooth, satin-like finish. The fretwork design is elegantly simple but required numerous carefully cut and carved pieces of wood fitted together to create the look of an interlocking wood chain. The panels were used in a horizontal orientation and most likely were part of a large day bed. The metal hangers are new and recently added. These panels are ideally sized for use as headboards over twin beds. They are in exce ...click for details
Fine relief carving on this Qing Period Chinese bed panel expresses symbolic wishes for good fortune. Made of beautifully grained hongmu (Chinese mahogany), the long panel (88 inches) is suitable for use over a king-sized bed. Stylized characters and traditional symbols, most likely chosen by the parents who commissioned the work, were used to bestow wishes on the newly married couple for long and happy lives. Carvings within the three rectangular sections demonstrate the Chinese love of homonym ...click for details
These Chinese architectural window panels have a graceful and open pattern that is among the most beautiful of the thousands of fretwork designs that were created in China over the centuries. Poplar wood pieces, rounded on top and polished to a smooth sheen, are fitted together in an ingenious way to form an architectural pattern that has a simple yet compelling presence. Traditional Chinese joinery makes the long rectangles strong and solid without the use of nails or glue. Made in Shanxi Provi ...click for details
