How do I identify the subject of a Chinese figure?

Subjects often draw from folklore, Daoism, and Buddhism, depicted with specific attributes like fish traps, beads, or mythical beasts. Familiarising yourself with common figures such as Liu Hai with his three-legged toad or laughing Buddhas helps determine the iconography.

Where were these statues originally displayed?

Many sculptures served as scholar's desk ornaments, mantelpiece decorations, or protective temple figures in domestic and ceremonial settings. Larger animal models and pairs were frequently positioned on dedicated wooden stands to anchor a room's interior design.

How do I care for antique hardwood carvings?

Keep the wood away from direct heat sources and sudden temperature fluctuations to prevent the dense material from splitting. Dust gently with a dry, soft cloth and avoid applying modern liquid polishes that can build up within the carved recesses.

How do I tell Japanese Meiji pieces from Chinese ones?

Japanese Meiji period carvings often focus on naturalistic human studies, such as the okimono format, showing everyday occupations. Chinese carvings frequently lean towards symbolic animals, mythological figures, and courtly or religious immortals from earlier dynastic traditions.