Offered by Victoria Hougron
Set of 8 Immortal Women in exotic hardwood, probably rosewood, China, late 19th century or early 20th century. These eight beauties illustrate a set of activities or attributes classically associated with the feminine ideal in ancient China, ranging from the practice of music and literature to that of motherhood. The number 8 is commonly retained for sets of statues of immortals because it is a very auspicious number in traditional Chinese design. The carving of great finesse was made possible thanks to the hardness and tight grain of the wood which is heavy and therefore very dense, with a natural slightly purple hue (probably rosewood). Some age checks and cracks. Height of the largest: 30.7 cm. From an old Vendée collection. Catalog of Acquisitions 2019.
