Exceptional Chinese carved red coral group

This quality of this exceptional piece speaks for itself. The present carved red coral is an outstanding example of the craft, demonstrating the very best of early 20th Century Chinese craftsmanship.

The sculpture is composed of a single piece of orange-red coral, mounted on a shaped hardwood base. The coral has been carved to portray a Chinese dignitary being pulled in a handcart by an attendant while also being accompanied by two additional escorts. The style of the figures and their dress are stylistically retrospective, evoking the traditional Chinese imagery of past times. The group is traversing through a diminutive, abstracted landscape, with traditional buildings lining their route. The coral throughout is carved with Chinese characters and other motifs, while the piece appears to be signed in Chinese characters to the front centre. The coral is texturally rich, inviting a tactile response from the observer: the surface throughout is carved with swirls of water, scallop shells, and scrolling foliage, among a host of other delicate details.