Chinese Soapstone Carving and Stand

Antique 18th century fruitwood carved Memento Mori Skull. The skull of petrified display powerfully carved in the form of a human skull consisting of the cranium, upper and lower jaws, the cadaverous face with deliberate missing tooth in brown wash patination throughout. Stood upon a small marble base with the skull attaching via a dowel fitting. The Skull probably from German origin. Notes  From approximately the sixteenth century, skulls were commonly used to remember death as they symbolise the transience of human life. Memento Mori literal Latin translation means remember that you [have to] die. The concept has its roots in the philosophers of classical antiquity, and appeared in funeral art and architecture of the medieval period. Memento Mori jewellery...

The charming figure, carved from a single piece of wood is exceptionally carved showing the male figure with humorous expression holding two Rabbits one by the ears and the second under his arm. A third Rabbit stands at the feet of the male looking up, each rabbit with a different expression. The male figure is wearing traditional Japanese attire with his hair tied back stood upon a naturalistic base. The figure dates to the Meiji Period (1868-1912) circa 1900. Notes The Rabbit is one of the 12 animals to feature in the Japanese Zodiac signs which follows the Chinese astrological system along with the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. Such division is connected with the Jupiter cycle around the Sun, which lasts about 12 years. As 2023 is the year of the Rabbit...

Fine Swiss Black Forest eagle carving of substantial size. The eagle beautifully carved with exceptional detail throughout perched upon a rocky outcrop w...

Japanese boxwood netsuke depicting a skeleton. The skeleton naturalistically carved in the foetal position in preparation for transitional burial. With...

Unusual Casting of a Pheasant in Flight From our Japanese collection, we are delighted to offer this Japanese bronze okimono of a Pheasant upon a naturalistic root wood base. The Ph...

Unusual carved stone head with storage compartment. The South East Asian grey stone carved in the shape of a male head wearing a conical hat and having a moustache. The hat lifts to ...

Chinese Soapstone fish carving 20th century. This exquisite soapstone sculpture is a unique carving, as it shows to us the natural formation of two stones with the grey soapstone accompanied by the red, yellow and beige soapstone carved into a beautiful depiction of fish and and underwater coral. Shoushan stone...

Chinese soapstone carving running horses, Mid-20th Century. The large magnificent soapstone carving is depicting running horses beautifully carved in the natural soapstone placed on a wooden root branch. Galloping horses in Chinese culture symbolize upwardly movement which could mean a promotion or growth in career Shoushan stone...

Presenting a lovely 20c medium Chinese soapstone carving. Made in China in the early 20th century circa 1930. This is a medium/tall gre...

The finely carved full length figure of 'The Goddess of Compassion, Kindness & Mercy' shown attired in flowing robes, her hair in high chignon with her face effecting a serene and me...

A small chicken blood stone carving from China circa early 20th century, possibly early (late Qing to early Republic period). It depicts an aged Bo...

Presenting a lovely 20C Chinese soapstone foo dog carving. Made in China in the early 20th century circa 1930. This is a small green and brown ...