Soapstone. China, Qing Dynasty 19th cent.
A light globular bellied small bottle on oval ring base with round shoulders and flared opening. The image in relief is animated and is additionally animated by the strong – red and black – veins through the otherwise very lovely greenish white soapstone. On one side a phoenix with a raised leg on a rock next to bamboo. Right around the rock is a funny monkey depicted with a stick in its hands. Apparently it wants to smack a buzzing insect, next to which a sack hangs on a rod. Beneath it is a lingzhi, the famous mushroom of long life. Light arched lid with beautiful red brown color, little bone spoon.
HEIGHT 6,8 CM
From a German private collection