Early 20th-Century Chinese Scholar Figure, Marked “China”

Details

Description

A finely modeled early 20th-century Chinese export figure of a scholar, carved from an opaque cinnamon-toned resin composite and mounted … Read more A finely modeled early 20th-century Chinese export figure of a scholar, carved from an opaque cinnamon-toned resin composite and mounted on its original carved hardwood stand stamped CHINA on the underside. The figure depicts a scholar or court official in flowing robes, holding a bamboo-slip book or court tablet—an enduring symbol of learning and civil service.
This is an elegant, tactile piece with excellent detail and warm surface character—a superb example ready to join your collection or enhance a thoughtfully curated display.

COLLECTOR'S NOTE
This figure is made from an early resin composite—often described in period export catalogs as composition resin or resinous paste—a material formulated from natural resins and fillers to imitate the polish of carved wood or lacquer. Such figures were especially popular during the late Qing to early Republic period (circa 1900–1920s), when Chinese workshops blended traditional hand-carving techniques with newly available resinous materials intended for export. The stamped CHINA mark aligns with U.S. import requirements of the era and helps confirm its early 20th-century production. Figures in this medium, particularly those retaining their original stands, are increasingly scarce in this level of preservation.

#00200JWHcpk7 See less