root carving - please identify

Does anyone know what this root carving represent?
Or what period is it from?
Thanks!

 

Hello Mentis, welcome. Could you post more pictures and click on full image?
Here is how:
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/posting-a-thread-and-uploading-pictures.15990/

 

Hi and welcome.

We will need a picture of the entire piece please.

 

looks german......but i only see their feet .....

 

Possibly Black Forest, or far south as South Tyrol in Northern Italy

 

Thank you so much for the tip. That was my first post, hadn t noticed the "Full image" option

 

Right, now we have to reconsider the origins. Totally different, my guess is China, but I've never seen a piece like it.
Let's hope khl or another person with Chinese roots sees it.

 

Mentis, can you still change the title and add Chinese? Just so our Chinese origin members will notice it?

Sorry, found some like yours (below), so you don't have to edit the title.

 

Wow, I like this, I could go on for hours with this weird and wonderful thing:

https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/a...gs/antique-chinese-root-carving/id-f_3553822/


http://www.antiques-atlas.com/antique/large_19thc_chinese_root_carving_of_a_sage/as208a574


http://www.buddhamuseum.com/wood-dragon_89.html

 

WOW
Love
Why have i never seen one before?
Here's one auction result from 2016 on iGavel

 

China's best kept secret.

 

Wow, you re unbelievable scoutshouse! Thank you so much, I had looked so much and only found similar ones but not the exact same one!

 

It is by no means the exact same one. Not everything that comes in threes is exactly the same. These are totally different statues, which means totally different mythology, meaning and symbolism:



The central figure in the last picture is carrying a ruyi scepter and what looks like a calligraphers brush. The ruyi scepter is a symbol of dignity and status and is usually carried by Lou, God of prosperity. The calligraphers brush is a symbol of scholars. The two male figures are wearing hats, the female one a hair ornament. They all wear shoes and sophisticated clothing. The female attendant is sitting down.

Your figures have no headdress, they seem to be bald. Your central figure looks like he could be a Nature God or a hermit who has withdrawn in nature. His two attendants are dressed in a similar nature-inspired way to the central figure. None of them wear shoes. They are all standing.

By the way, if you already knew it was a Chinese root carving, it is best to tell us, preferably put Chinese in the title. And tell us anything else you might know about an item, that saves time, you will get the attention of the right people, and there are no wild goose chases. Which leads me to a question, why did you only post half a picture of the root, and leave us guessing as to the origin and nature of a root with some bare feet?

 

ya...u need to help us help u !!!!

" This ain't no party, this ain't no disco...this ain't no foolin around !! "

 

Very good point, I apologise as a new user. I 'll be definetely more specific in the future titles. As to the first half picture, is because I didn t get the "Full image" thing in the beginning. I appreciate your time and information

 

Now that I think about it, I have seen Lohan or Buddha root carvings before - smaller, more compact and nowhere near this articulated. Again, wow

Mentis, I'd consider contacting the Asian Museum in San Francisco (or another) for help identifying the symbols and age of your piece. It seems to have a different style of carving and details (eyes and teeth are ivory?) and patina from some of the other examples...

Good Lord, Any! - looking forward to more of your scholarly input.

Asian symbology is so dense and bifurcated between Japanese, Chinese, Korean etc. I find it fascinating but I'm not always sure I'm headed down the right road

 

Pleasure, and certainly look forward to more of your treasures.

 

When it comes to symbolism, I am usually around.

 

Cool!

A celestial flowchart would help - haha