The oldest identifiable Chinese soapstone sculptures are dated to more than 3000 years ago. The Ming and Quing dynasties saw the height of soapstone production in China. Soapstone was not only used for art it was also used to make dishes, utensils, plates, teapots, boxes, and for worship.
It's possible that this Quing dynasty (1644-1911) soapstone sculpture came from the Fujian province near the Shoushan village in northern Fujian. Shoushan village is located near the Shoushan Mountain where stone is mined from. Shoushan stone production reached its peak during the Quing Dynasty.
This hand-made hand-carved soapstone sculpture is of the Chinese Daoist Shou Lao "God of Longevity". He is an elderly Immortal with a uniquely large cranium (head) representing wisdom, long ears, a long beard representing a long life, drooping eyebrows and flowing robes.
He is sitting on what appears to be pinecones, another symbol of immortality. In his left hand he is holding the peach of immortality. In his right hand he is holding a magnificent walking stick with a Foo Dog or Lion dog at the top of the walking stick. Towards the top of the walking stick is an attached gourd that holds special life-giving elixirs. He is accompanied by a very large Foo Dog or Lion Dog whose head is sideways at the top of the sculpture.
This magnificent soapstone sculpture becomes more transparent depending on the lighting source near the sculpture. The natural colors of the soapstone are brown, beige, and orange blended with transparency.
The back of the sculpture is a symbolic design where the front side is of the large Foo Dog or Lion Dog. The back of diety's robes are hand-carved. The pinecones are on the back of the sculpture.
The bottom of the sculpture is the hand-carved pedestal.
There are several repairs to the soapstone sculpture as well as a few cracks. However, it doesn't diminish the significance and beauty of this antique soapstone sculpture.
The soapstone sculpture approximate dimensions and other features are as follows:
Material: Soapstone
Height: 6 1/4 Inches
Width: 2 Inces
Depth: 1 1/4 inches
Ounces Weight: 13.984 ounces
Grams Weight: 396.4 grams
Age: Quing Dynasty (1644-1911)
The God of Longevity is found in most Asian homes to ensure a family's general well-being.
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