**Originally Listed At $2750**

East Asia, China, Ming Dynasty, ca. 1368 to 1644 CE. An exceptional pagoda roof spire skillfully hand-carved from creamy white marble and presenting an octagonal base and rounded top. Expertly rendered, the fabulous example has been sculpted to show the image of a lotus flower at its top and 2 decorative horizontal registers along its body, each comprised of 8 panels. The top register is adorned with the depiction of a figure in each panel, likely intended to represent the Eight Immortals, who are considered a symbol of prosperity and longevity. One of the panels features 2 lines of Chinese script flanking one of the characters. Meanwhile, the panels of the lower section each feature an animal or symbol with 2 presenting a cabbage leaf, 2 displaying a monkey, 3 showing a foo dog or dragon, and 1 featuring a motif of a rhomboid inside a circle, representing eternity. This piece was likely previously located at the top of a pagoda to hold serve as the base of the spire. Size: 21" W x 19" H (53.3 cm x 48.3 cm)

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private M. Kobiashi collection, Hawaii, USA, 1960 to 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#164895

Losses to periphery of base. Some nicks, abrasions, and softening of detail, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent.