Box
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- Date:
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- Materials and Techniques:
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This bamboo box was carved in the shape of a section of a pine tree trunk and shows pine tree branches in relief on the surface. Carvings from materials of vegetable origin, like wood, bamboo or gourd, represent one of the most elaborate and refined crafts in China, and often bear the signature of the artist. In this example, the two characters Yongji are incised on the base; they are the signature of the artist Deng Fujia, probably native of Fujian in south-east China and active during the Yongzheng (1723-1735) and Qianlong (1736-1795) reigns. His works of art are particularly rare since he produced mainly luxury goods for the imperial household.
Physical description
Bamboo box, carved as a section of pine trunk, with branches of pine tree in relief on the surface. The base signed Yongji.
Place of Origin
China (made)
Date
ca. 1720-1750 (made)
Artist/maker
Deng Fujia (production)
Materials and Techniques
Bamboo, carved
Marks and inscriptions
Incised on the base with a two-character mark 'Yong ji' name of the maker
[Box] Two characters, signature of the artist Deng Fujia
Dimensions
Width: 11.5 cm
Object history note
From Register:
Box and cover, in shape of a sectio of bamboo, carved on the edges to imitate a pine branch, from which two pine-branches in very high relief rise and fold over the upper surface. Signed Yo-kichi.
Japanese; late 18th century
Revised Korzumi 30/11/1921.
The 1921 reattribution as Japanese overleaf can be ignored.
See Ip Yee and Lawrence C.S. Tam, Chinese Bamboo Carving, Part II (Hong Kong Museum f Art 1982), p. 114
CC 5/9/1983
Descriptive line
Box and cover, carved bamboo, China, Qing dynasty, ca. 1720-1750
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Clunas, Craig. Chinese Carving. London: Sun Tree Publishing Ltd in association with the Victoria & Albert Museum, 1996. p. 50, fig. 51.
Kerr, Rose (ed). The T.T. Tsui Gallery of Chinese Art and Design. London: Victoria & Albert Museum, 1991. p. 22, fig. 2. photo p. 23.
Labels and date
BOX
Carved bamboo
Signed Yongji
CHINA; about 1740-1790
W.338-1910
Yongji is a name of the bamboo carver Deng Fujia, from Jaiding in Jiangsu province, who was active in the Qianlong reign (1736-1795) [pre 2005]
Materials
Bamboo
Techniques
Carving
Subjects depicted
Trees; Pine tree
Collection code
EAS
