East Asia, China, North Fujian, ca. mid to late 20th century CE. This is an amazing hand carved stone sculpture featuring a large leaf covered with a variety of insects across the top made from a multicolored Shoushan or agalmatolite. The large leaf is paper thin in some areas - so sheer that the surface is transparent. The insects are masterfully rendered with delineated legs, wings, and antennae - note the petite serrations on the praying mantis' forelimbs! The variety of bugs is amazing as well: wasps, ants, moths, dragonfly, cicadas, crickets, beetles, grasshoppers, complete with a wasp nest complete with a head emerging from one of the cells! This piece was carved by someone that clearly was well trained with the foresight to plan the placement of the insects to align with the different hues - the insects appear to be individual stones attached to the leaf, but they are all carved from a single piece of stone; a truly unique and well thought out carving! Size: 12.75" L x 7" W x 1.5" H (32.4 cm x 17.8 cm x 3.8 cm)

Shoushan stone carving is an art originating in Fujian Province in Eastern China. The stones used in carving are also known as agalmatolite and are mined in the Shoushan village in northern Fujian, they are prized for their multicolored hues that resemble jade but are easy to carve. Use of the stone for carving can be traced back as far as the Southern Dynasties and have long been used to produce handicrafts and seals later in the Ming Dynasty.

Provenance: ex-Stein collection, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA, acquired prior to 2010

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#168963

Losses to the legs and antenna on many insects, including the grasshopper beetles, and wasp. Repairs to some wings and limbs on ants, wasps, moth, and mantis. These losses and repairs are not very discernable due to busy placement and coloration of piece. Leaf is intact with a few abrasions. Clear glue adhesive remains on the surface from a former display case. The adhesive can be cleaned off. Amazing attention to natural stone coloration and great details throughout!