Soapstone Carving: Monkeys and Birds Soapstone CarvingChinese soapstone carving is truly a Chinese art form. They are beautifully carved using the natural color striations of the stone to differentiate the subject matters they represent. Seldom do they show humor as this carving does. This carving is a combination of four containers two vases tall and short at the back and on the foreground two vessels with wider mouths. Climbing all over are monkeys and birds. It is quite delightful. The carving is from

bought jade stones which literally look like any nugget or rock

The artist is well versed in the flower painting traditions and he grouped the well loved flowers in a still life on both sides

Dimensions: 1 3/4 inches wide

The bottle is well hollowed and it feels good to the touch

The round cylindrical shaped teapot is made with the bamboo theme

Dimensions: 2" W x 0

The short straight neck ends with a concave top dipping towards the center opening

Excavated conditon with chips on the mouth

forming filaments and other patterns suggestive of moss

A dark eye appears on one side

The opening is flat

The painted enamel snuff bottles in the Palace Museum collections in the famille rose palette are the most beautiful and pleasing to the eye