Bonsai by Cha Immortal

[Bonsai by Cha Immortal]

Bonsai by Cha Immortal, made in the Qing Dynasty, with a total height of 39.5 cm and a maximum width of 54 cm. The old collection of the Qing Palace
The natural wood root carving is used as the boat shape of the tenon, the colored clay sculpture wave is used as the support under the tenon, and the holes are reserved on the wave to insert the ivory carved lotus, lotus leaf and lotus seed. At the end of the tenon is a copper gilded four-out sunflower petal type chiseled enamel basin, with small tourmaline peach trees planted inside. In the middle of the Cha sits an old man carved with dyed teeth, with long beard and chest, one hand touching the knee, and the other holding the scroll, looking calm. The old man put a wire cutting enamel disk in front of him, and contained grapes inside. Behind him was a six-square bottle of chiseled enamel with ivory chrysanthemum inserted inside. The tail of the tenon is wrapped with copper-plated vines, which are rolled up like the tail of a dragon, covered above the old man, and hung with white jade small gourds and burning blue leaves, delicate and lovely
Xiancha originates from myths and legends. Zhang Hua of the Jin Dynasty recorded in the Records of Natural History that a man was floating across the sea on a Cha and met a cowherd and a weaver girl. Later generations attached the story character as Zhang Qian, saying that he took the Cha to find the source of the Yellow River. At present, Zhu Bishan, a famous silver-melting craftsman of the Yuan Dynasty, is the earliest known person who took the Xiancha as the subject of handicrafts. His silver tenor has been handed down to this day. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the immortal Cha was included in the auspicious pattern system, and similar to the theme of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, it was given the meaning of congratulating the birthday. It was very popular with the royal family, and was one of the common themes in the Qing court handicrafts. The structure of the scene is symmetrical, and the layout of the scene is well-arranged, which is full of decorative interest. Carving materials are various, colors are rich, and skills are difficult. It can be regarded as a classic of similar products.