Figure thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Figure

ca. 1800-1850 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
China (made)

This sculpture of a man in a landscape is full of auspicious allusion. The three small boys allude to the blessing of male offspring. The pine tree, the deer and the cranes are symbols of long life. The chime stone in a vase is a pun for 'celebrating peace'.


Object details

Category
Sculpture
Object type
Figure
Materials and techniques
Soapstone, carved
Soapstone
Carved
Brief description
Figure of a gentleman in a landscape, carved soapstone, China, Qing dynasty, ca. 1800-1850
Physical description
Soapstone figure of a bearded sage with bald head, wearing along robe, reclining on rocks in a landscape with pine trees and a deer, on his right, three children standing and holding ruyi; on his left a vase and a pair of cranes and monkeys. Inscribed.
Dimensions
  • Height: 30cm
  • At base width: 36.5cm
Style
Qing
Gallery label
  • SEATED SAGE. Soapstone relief. CHINESE; 18th century.(pre 2005)
  • Scholar reclining beneath pine trees, soapstone 19th century Given by Mrs E.L. Cockell A.18-1939(pre 2005)
Credit line
Given by Mrs E. L. Cockell
Object history
From Register:
Wu T'ung (Boston) 15/6/89: portrait, probably a birthday gift, vase and contents form a rebus.
Subjects depicted
Children
Cranes
Monkeys
Deer
Pine
Summary
This sculpture of a man in a landscape is full of auspicious allusion. The three small boys allude to the blessing of male offspring. The pine tree, the deer and the cranes are symbols of long life. The chime stone in a vase is a pun for 'celebrating peace'.
Bibliographic reference
Clunas, Craig. Chinese Carving. London: Sun Tree Publishing Ltd in association with the Victoria & Albert Museum, 1996. p. 77, figs. 90-91.
Collection
East Asia Collection
Accession number
A.18-1939

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Record createdJune 6, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O155466/figure-unknown/
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