Pair of Ivory Carvings

20th century

A pair of ivory carvings (Chinese, 20th century) on decorative wooden stands. The first of the sculptures (.1ab) depicts a woman sitting at a table playing a Qin (a fretless board zither with seven strings) and a standing woman playing the flute (now missing). Two men watch them play, one with a long beard sitting at the table, the other an official standing to the right. To the far right are two servants, one standing with a pot, the other kneeling with a tray and goblet. Behind them in this scene is a rectangular panel with pine and tung trees. The underside is incised with a flowering tree on a grassy mound, above this is a rectangle containing unidentified characters. The second sculpture (.2ab) shows an elderly couple, a woman, and a child bidding farewell to a man wearing armor. His spear and horse are beside him on the left of the scene. Behind this grouping is the gate to their home as well as pine and banana plants. The underside is incised with a rectangle containing unidentified characters.

Chinese

ivory

wood

9.5" x 6.5" x 3.375"

Gift of the Estate of Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Berwind, II, 2008.

PSNC.11843.1ab-.2ab