AN 18TH CENTURY BAMBOO-ROOT LOG RAFT CARVING WITH IMMORTALS

Bamboo root
China, 18th century


This masterly carved bamboo-root log raft of miniature size features nine individual figures, being the immortals crossing the sea respectively their attendants. Amazing detail was applied to this sculpture such as the deterioration to the straw hat of one standing immortal, mushrooms growing on the log or the way every face is displaying an individual and discernible expression.

Shape: Figural shape
Dimensions: 10 cm (length), 5 cm (height)
Weight: 20.8 grams
Condition: good condition with strong patina, two small chips, two small pieces reattached and some wear as well as minor remnants of old glue on underside
Provenance: Austrian private collection

Auction results comparison: For significantly larger bamboo-root carvings with the same motif see Sotheby’s, IMPORTANT CHINESE ART, 03 APRIL 2018, HONG KONG, lot 3664 or Christie’s, Arts of the Carver Chinese Works of Art from An Important European Collection, London, 5 November 2013, lot 88.

十八世紀竹根雕仙人
竹根
中國， 十八世紀

造型：人物
尺寸：長10 厘米，高 5 厘米
重量：20.8 克
品相：良好，包漿凝重，兩處小裂口，兩處重新粘連，一些磨損以及下方部位舊膠水殘留物
來源：奧地利私人收藏