Soapstone carving was and still is a popular form of Chinese Carving. The colors of soapstone vary a great deal. It can be subtle, like the combination of tan and rust here, or it can be brilliant with deep reds and browns. The variety of colors orange from beige, tan, rust , brown to white, grey, and black. The softness of the stone is an excellent material for the carver’s knife which can turn a stone into a sheet of lacy leaves and flowers.
The object here is a tall vase supported by a base of craggy rocks. Rocks and chrysanthemums are among the favorite themes of Chinese artist scholars and the chrysanthemums has remained a symbol for the beloved poet Tao Yuanming who wrote a poem extolling the simple beauty of chrysanthemums over a showy peonies. The carving found a stone of two colors. the vase and chrysanthemums were mostly rust and the rocks beige.
The dating is 20 century
Dimensions: 4 inches x 3 inches x 12 inches high
Condition: In good vintage condition. There are age cracks on the surface but the vase and carvings are intact.