Far East, China, Xian area, ca. 1850 CE. An antique Chinese temple corbel that is a triumph of technique, hand-carved from a single piece of beautiful camphor wood, depicting a bearded, mustachioed male figure, donning elegant garments, the sleeves of which are meticulously carved with an abstract geometric pattern, and a magnificent headdress, holding his right hand upward, seemingly supporting the upper end of the corbel, and his left elbow bent so that it touches the tree carved at the inner end of the corbel and his hand is held in front of his torso. The figure sways his legs toward the base of the tree trunk and his head is sheltered by the leafy canopy of the tree. The intricate carving extends across the entire surface of the front and back sides of this piece. Furthermore, the artist added another dimension to the piece's complexion with hand-painted black brushwork delineating the figures visage, facial hair, and headdress. Beyond the artistry, technique, and iconography of this sculptural work, the camphor wood itself, with its rich caramel tones and lustrous finish, is inherently beautiful. A very rare example mounted upon a rectangular, substantive wood block base. Size: corbel itself measures 4.375" deep x 13.5" W x 28.375" H (11.1 cm x 34.3 cm x 72.1 cm); 30.25" H (76.8 cm) with base

Provenance: Ex-Private Boulder, CO collection acquired at Indochine Gallery

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#117834

Roughness and abraded losses where the corbel was joined to temple and at upper beveled border. Age cracks here and there. Surface wear with a few abrasions as shown. Jagged edges to base.