Ivory balls of nested concentric layers with human figures in openwork relief. Second half of the 19th century.

Ivory balls of nested concentric layers with human figures in openwork relief. Second half of the 19th century.

• Image Number: K1G000055N000000000PAB
• Dynasty: Qing dynasty
• Category: Carvings
• Function: furnishings
• Material: Animal/Tooth/Ivory
• Description:
  This through flower movable ivory ball is composed of four parts, namely, a fish hook, a standing sculpture of two ladies’ layer, a hollow ball, and a Hehe two immortals pendant. The hook, the ladies’ layer and the ball, and Hehe two immortals are connected by different numbers of chains, and there are also small balls between the ball and the ladies’ layer connected by threads. There are 18 layers of hollowed out ball sets, each layer of the ball sets, and the ball is exquisite; The outer layer is full of high relief landscapes, pavilions and figures, and the inner layer is decorated with hollow patterns. According to its carving technique and style, this carved ivory ball with flowers through it should have been made by Guangdong dentists after the middle of the Qing Dynasty. In the Qing Dynasty, the Southern School of ivory carving techniques, such as chains, living patterns, filigree weaving and layered ivory balls, were also known as “immortal workers” in Beijing’s Inner Court.