Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Ming Dynasty Jade Carving to the 16th Century.
Masterfully sculpted from a heavy, high-grade river-worn nephrite pebble, this imposing 20 cm figure depicts an immortal standing in a dynamic, confident posture upon an asymmetrical, naturally formed rockwork base.
This is beautifully enhanced by an organic golden-russet skin concentrated across the central folds, the natural boulder contours, and the underside.
Carved with the unhurried vigor and robust undercutting definitive of mid-to-late Ming Dynasty lapidary art (circa 16th century), the sculpture displays key period markers:
Facial Architecture: Deeply set eyes beneath heavy brow ridges and broad, muscular facial contouring that yield a lifelike vitality entirely distinct from later, stiffer Qing court styling.
Lapidary Economy: The natural golden-russet skin is intelligently preserved and integrated into the contours of the cap, brow, and drapery, proving the carver worked directly with the natural pebble rather than applying artificial staining.
Hand-Carved Execution: The flowing beard and hair strands feature confident, parallel incisions with no trace of modern rotary burr chatter, paired with deep drapery undercuts that exploit the full 728-gram mass of the raw boulder.
A quintessential scholar's piece combining raw material integrity with master craftsmanship.
Specifications
Period: Ming Dynasty, Circa 16th Century
Material: Pale Celadon Nephrite Jade with Organic Golden-Russet Skin
Height: 20 cm
Base: 7.5 cm
Weight: 728 g
Condition: Good antique condition
Provenance: The G S. May Esquire Private Collection, London
Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Ming Dynasty Jade Carving to the 16th Century.
Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sandbanks Antiques Profile Page
A Substantial Ming Dynasty Pale Celadon and Russet Nephrite Jade Figural Carving of an Immortal
