Chenxiangmu ‘Lady’ wooden figure, Qing dynasty

Elegant carved wooden figure, with an intense reddish colour covered by the natural grain of the wood. It shows a lady, with a slender body, standing upright and holding an object in her hands. Her body is dressed in a long traditional dress that covers her bare feet, with wide sleeves and a thick belt that is knotted at the level of the belly. Her expression is neutral, with fine, narrowed eyes, a wide nose and a small mouth with a faint smile. The meticulously carved hair is tied back in a high bun, revealing the two elongated ears that frame the face. 

Chenxiangmu wood is one of the most prized woods in Chinese culture for its medicinal and aromatic qualities, and is even used as incense. There are few large figures carved from this wood, as it is extremely rare.  Qing Dynasty (1644 and 1912) 

Size: 28 x 4.9 x 5.3 cm

Weight: 174 g