A GROUP OF FOUR CHINESE CARVED RED CORAL BRANCHES, FOURTH QUARTER 20TH CENTURY, each piece of coral retaining its natural form, comprising a short double stalk of a corpulent smiling Budai holding a peach in his right hand whilst seated at the base of an auspicious pine tree, height: 3 1/4"; another of the jolly Budai seated at the base of a large peach tree, his legs folded under his protruding exposed belly while gazing upwards smiling at a bat flying above, holding a cloth sack in his right hand and a bowl in his left, height: 4 1/4"; a similar carved branch showing Budai walking past a peach tree with a cloth sack over his right shoulder and a bowl in his left hand, long flowing robes and a lucky bat follow behind, height: 5"; the largest coral fragment in the representation of Budai seated at the base of a peach tree in the "Royal Ease" position, frontal facing with an open smile and celestial billowing robes draped around him as he holds his bowl resting in his left hand and two bats fly close overhead, height: 6".

Each red coral fragment in good condition, with no apparent breaks, chips, or repairs. Salmon and cream tones with natural imperfections throughout. The stalks have some pitting and roughness where unfinished root or core shows through. None are marked or signed. Simpson Galleries strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Simpson Galleries regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Simpson Galleries. All lots offered are sold "AS IS."