Description: Magnificent Red Coral carving, Guan Yin Description: Quan or Guan Yin red coral carving mounted on a carved rosewood base. Central figure of Guan Yin holding an ingzhi scepter surrounded by nature, phoenix bird above her head with four sparrows and a rabbit in the corals 'tree' branches. Its reverse fancifully carved with replicas based on Nautilus(Nautilidae) shells, flowers and aquatic plant life. The overall form well balanced for this type of carving in coral due to its natural formation in an unaltered state. Its height at 11.5" would have taken about 230 years to grow. Weight: 748 grams without the stand.

History: Red Coral is a member of the Coralliidae family of Gorgonacea order of Actinozoa class in the Coelenterata phylum, with the Latin scientific name of Corallium. Dwelling in sea areas of 200 to 2,000 meters deep, it feeds on plankton and is of asexual reproduction. The configuration of corallum looks like a tree with solid texture and bright red, pink or coral colors. It grows one inch every 20 years and one kilogram every 300 years. Red Coral, Amber and Pearl go by the general name of "organic gem". Being the symbol of auspiciousness and wealth in China, coral has been used to make precious workmanship since ancient times. The emperors of the Qing Dynasty (1644 1912) regularly wore long string of beads made of coral when holding ceremonies in court. As a kind of Chinese traditional rare medicinal herbs, coral has the effects of taking care of skin of face, promoting blood flow and improving eyesight. It is produced in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.

Provenance: Patricia & Dennis Della Penta Estate

Dimensions: Weight (Pounds & Ounces) = 1.4 | Height(in) = 11.5 | Width(in) = 9.25 | Depth(in) = 3

Size of Artwork(in): H. 11.5 x W. 9.25, w/o base

Artist Name: Chinese School

Medium: Coral

Circa: 20th century

One small repair, well done, extremely minor losses.