The Chinese Hardstone Carving Collection offered for auction at Woodard Lipe Fine Art & Auction on February 1, 2025 is an outstanding example of the artistry and craftsmanship of this art form and reflects thoughtful curation by the original owner of this collection. Objectively beautiful, the collection becomes even more meaningful with a bit of context and history.
CHINESE HARDSTONE CARVINGS
Chinese hardstone carving has existed since 5000 B.C.E. but thrived during the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) when the combination of an abundant supply of raw materials, extraordinary craftsmanship, and the interest of the imperial Qing Dynasty created an industry with extraordinary imagination and technical virtuosity.
Many new workshops were opened and flourished during the Qing era. Emperor Yongzheng (1722-35) and Qianlong (1736-1795) established workshops in the palace that employed large numbers of master carvers who were subject to exacting standards of quality and direction by the Emperor and his Court. The rein of Emperor Qianlong was known as the "Golden Age of China" due to his extensive interest and support of the arts as artist, collector and preservationist of Chinese cultural history.
The carving techniques used by master carvers were essentially unchanged since the Neolithic period. The carver used abrasive grinding tools to shape the parts of the stone to be used in the figure. Then, a rotating steel disc further formed, cut and engraved the finest features and lines of the piece. Ultimately the mater carver’s goal was to highlight the natural beauty of the stone while keeping his effort almost invisible. It was an exacting skill requiring patience and artistry.
THE MEANING BEHIND THE STONES
The hardstones used in many Chinese carvings include jade, agate, malachite, turquoise, quartz, amber and lapis lazuli. It’s useful to know the meaning of these stones, since the choice of stone combined with the choice of a particular object for the carving have a specific symbolism and meaning.
- Jade: is believed to symbolize growth, vitality, and harmony and to bring good luck and protect against negative energies.
- Agate: is believed to provide inner strength and calm, enhance mental clarity and focus, and promote emotional balance. Like jade, it is believed to shield the owner from negative energy.
- Malachite: known for it’s unique dark green striated color was reserved for the upper class, symbolizing wealth and nobility in ancient China.
- Turquoise: is believed to guarantee health, good fortune, and protection from evil. It has been used as decoration and jewelry in China since ancient times.
- Quartz: is associated with clarity of thought and the ability to overcome obstacles. It’s also used in feng shui to attract positive energy and purify the surrounding environment to promote a harmonious and balanced atmosphere.
- Amber: was considered the "soul of the tiger" believed to contain the perfect balance of yin and yang energies.
- Lapis: is believed to enhance intuition, communication, and spiritual growth. Its deep blue color represents the depths of the ocean and the vastness of the sky and is known for its calming properties, promoting inner peace and serenity.
Some of the more popular subjects used in hardstone carvings include fruits and vegetables, which signified prosperity, longevity, good fortune, and perpetuation of the ancestral line. Another common subject was animals and humans. The posture of the figure or inclusion of surrounding objects imbues the statue with additional meaning. For example, a figure of a woman with a daylily in her hand references the wish for more children. Each animal also has meaning - a monkey drives away evil spirit while an elephant represents strength and astuteness. Flowers and plants also have symbolic meanings that can convey emotions, represent seasons, or celebrate achievements.
WORKS FOR SALE ON FEB. 2, 2025
The pieces available at the February 2, 2025 Auction include carvings from jade, malachite, turquoise, quartz, amber and lapis, among many others. Several have been authenticated as Chinese antiquities. View the Auction on-line or attend in person to view these exquisite examples of Chinese craftsmanship.
Historical Source: Sun, Jason. “Chinese Hardstone Carvings.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/hard/hd_hard.htm (June 2016)