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This impressive, entirely hand-carved Chinese soapstone sculpture depicts a smiling wise fisherman and dates from the late Qing dynasty to the early Republic period, roughly 1900–1930. The figure is rendered with great expressiveness and craftsmanship and imbued with rich Eastern symbolism. In his hands he holds two fish on a cord, which within Chinese culture traditionally signifies abundance and prosperity. Slung over his shoulder on a carrying pole is a travel bag shaped like a gourd, a well-known symbol of good health and protection against negative energy. At his feet, a detailed carved fish basket or trap is also visible. The artwork is made from a high-quality two-tone variant of soapstone. The craftsman ingeniously utilized the natural color layers in the rough mineral, with the body’s base a refined gray-green hue and the travel bag on top of the head merging into warm brown and orange tones. The sculpture rests on a rare accompanying pedestal, also carved entirely from natural stone. This dark, purplish-brown stone is irregular and intricately worked to imitate a rugged rock ledge, creating a harmonious and organic whole. On the underside, the matte texture, saw marks, and microscopic mineral inclusions attest to the absolute authenticity of this natural product. There are no later export marks or stamps, which confirms the early dating of this export piece. With a height of 35 centimeters, a width of 11 centimeters, a depth of 9.7 centimeters, and a substantial weight of no less than 2,350 grams, this is an above-average large and substantial example. The condition of the carving, considering its age and the softness of the material, is good. Very notable is that the fragile details on the front, such as the rock fishing line, the fish fins, and the fine fingers, have remained completely intact. Unfortunately, there is a restored crack running from the shoulder to the arm, as clearly shown in the photos. On the front it is barely visible. Dimensions: 35x11x9.7 cm Weight: 2,350 g

Estimación:€3

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