Chinese Double-Sided Carved Gilded Rosewood Panel

Chinese Double-Sided Carved Gilded Rosewood Panel

OR3. Chinese double-sided carved and gilded rosewood panel, decorated on each side with a scene of Chung-li Ch’üan and Li T’eh-kuai, two of the eight immortals in the Pa Hsien, legendary beings in the Taoist sect, accompanied by auspicious emblems of longevity and bounty.
 
The scenes on either side of the panel are mirror-images, each relief-carved and gilded, presented in a recessed fan-shaped reserve, centered by large relief-carved chrysanthemum blossoms and leaves nested in each corner and below the reserve, and fitted to a wide mitered frame with a double-welted sight-molding underlying a bold pierce-carved frieze of lotus scroll punctuated at the corners by Greek-key fret or cloud-and-thunder with chrysanthemum.

The figures of Chung-li Ch’üan, the chief of the eight immortals, Li T’eh-kuai who is associated with poverty, each have a long mustache and beard, and are attired in a long robe; flanked by rock-work and pine-tree foliage. Chung-li Ch’üan holds his emblem, a fan with which he is believed to revive the souls of the dead. Li T’eh-kuai, who is associated with poverty, wears a cloth cap tied around his head, depicted as a lame beggar leaning on a staff.
 
Dating is late 19th Century to the 20th Century. Superior attention to detail. Good condition, retaining the original rich dark reddish-brown finish, and gilding. Mortise and miter joinery. Measures 32 ¾" long and 44" wide, and 1 ½" thick. (JP1b) $395.00.
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