Room for study: fifty scholars’ objects
31 October - 29 November, 2019
This exhibition is the first at Eskenazi Limited dedicated entirely to objects from the Chinese scholars' studio. Broad in time-scale and ranging over a number of categories, highlights include a seventeenth-century huanghuali table, a rootwood stand, archaic bronze vessels, a selection of scholars' rocks, lacquerwares, brushpots and paintings, both classical and contemporary.
Carved Boxwood Finger Citron
Qing dynasty, 18th century
Carved from boxwood (huangyangmu), the craftsman has evoked the sharp contrast between the pitted skin of the citrus fruit and its smooth, glossy leaves. Also known as ‘Buddha’s hand’ because of its shape, this was a popular motif used throughout the decorative arts of the Qing dynasty. It was enjoyed as much for its fragrance as for its Chinese name (foshou), a homophone for blessings and longevity.
Length: 14.5cm