Chinese Antique Small Wood Panel With Figural Carvings

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The small wood panel is a small piece of architectural artifact. It was once an inset from a tall wood … Read more The small wood panel is a small piece of architectural artifact. It was once an inset from a tall wood panel, one of a set that used to be room partition, or actual doors that hang in a Chinese home. The piece has been thoroughly cleaned and cleared of its original patina. It is supposed to be a narrative piece. People who are steeped into vernacular Chinese literature can tell exactly what is happening in the scene and who the characters are. Alas, I have only read a few novels and not at liberty to relate what is going on with the narrative. However, I can try to describe what is going on:

From left, the bearded old man held something like a stick which worked like a western magic wand. The young boy is probably his attendant or servant. The third figure is dressed like a government official and the man next to him is his attendant. It is a Chinese tradition to dictate the minutiae of clothing, what type of garment was permitted by one's status of society. Therefore it was quite easy to identify who was a scholar, a boy attendant, a high official or a lowly servant. The event is taking place in a garden, with a tree with large leaves, and a rock garden.

The carving is still sharo desote the age. The carving is half an inch thick. The carver was .,ever to create this scene without it being lifeless and dull. See less