ANTIQUE CHINESE CARVED WOOD CORBEL IRON BASED ARCHITECTURAL 19TH C

Description

GJPaw
Auctions is pleased to offer an antique Chinese hand-carved wooden Corbel. The word "corbel" has a French origin, hailing from the Latin "corbellus." Originally, only masonry was given the corbel name, while wooden structures of the same purpose were called "braggers" or "tassels." Progressively, the corbel moniker began being applied to a wider range of materials, and today, anything with a load bearing or an aesthetic function which resembles the original stone corbel is given the name. Wood corbels have long been an integral part of architectural design in China, where together with unique structural elements such as interlocking wooden brackets (
dougong
) they are one of the most important elements in traditional Chinese architecture. While
dougong
were originally structural, and became decorative, corbels were seen as mainly decorative, though also structural. However, the focus slowly changed and design became a primary feature. Decorative wood corbels offered Chinese master craftsmen a tremendous versatility in design opportunity, with a myriad of possibilities for both the style of the carving and the subject itself. Depictions included folkloric characters such as a Budai monk, or deities and dragons - to a cluster of grapes or a delicately carved leaf - as can be seen in this fine naturalistic carved piece, which features a traditional Chinese landscape figure, foliate motifs and a pastoral landscape design.
The corbel measures approximately 12 inches in width by 4.25 inches in width by 8.5 inches in height (30.4 cm by 10.7 cm by 21.5 cm). It comes with a hand-made, iron museum display base. It is in very good condition, showing wear consistent with a dating to the 19th century, including chips, cracks and wood decay. It would make an excellent collector’s piece for anyone interested in corbels, architectural design or Chinese antiques and art. Export of antique architectural components from China is now prohibited by Chinese law.
GJPaw
Auctions has been in the Art business for over 25 years and is now expanding its operation to eBay. Our goal is to bring the same experience and excitement of collecting that we have been delivering in-person to collectors across the globe at
Primitive
in Chicago.  Every object we sell online has been carefully hand-selected with special attention to detail, quality, and significance. We ship worldwide. Add
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A0211-427