A beautifully carved late Qing / early Republic Chinese soapstone scholar’s desk ornament carved with flowering branches and birds against pierced rockwork.
This piece embodies classic Chinese longevity symbolism. The five-petalled plum blossom flowers, or mei and one of the 'Three Friends of Winter,' represent perseverance, purity, renewal, scholarly virtue and endurance through hardship. Plum blossoms blooming in late winter are a powerful Confucian symbol of resilience.
Small birds perched among blossoms are a classic pairing, symbolic of harmony in nature, literary refinement, domestic happiness and sometimes a rebus for joy and good news.
Carved from variegated olive-brown soapstone with natural inclusions and attractive tonal variation. Based on carving style, stone type, surface wear, and composition this piece dates to the Late Qing to early Republic period. c.1890–1930. Blossom and bird combinations were very popular on scholar’s desk carvings during the Qing period.
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Height: 14 cms. Width: 20 cms. Depth: 6 cms. Weight: 0.836 Kgs.
Price: £40.00.
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SKU number: 13005.
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