Chinese Wood Carving with "Authentic" Wax Seal - thoughts?

Another new addition here that I am researching. It is a Chinese wood carving with a gold finish. The background has the appearance of dirt or mud. There is a wax seal that we have been told translates to "Authentic". The piece measures about 11-1/2 inches high by 12-1/2 inches wide (measured on the inside edge of the much newer frame). The back has an odd drawing, plus beveled edges making it appear that this was part of a panel or similar item. Does anyone have an idea of the age or background of this piece? Thanks! ... Dave

 

It's my understanding that antiques exported from China had to be approved for export and that a wax seal designated formal approval to export. That would be my guess here.

 

Hi.
I concur. I had several old Chinese pieces with those same wax seals. That was back in the 1970s.
greg

 

Any thoughts about the age of the piece? Do you think it was part of a screen?

 

I never knew what the Chinese wax seals read but to say Authentic is a bit strange. They simply mean that the piece can be exported. Chinese change the law few times regarding the age of the pieces. In some cases they would let an export even if the piece is Qing dynasty when there are plenty of those and they are not national treasures.

 

Hi Dave,
There were so many really old and nice pieces that were cut up and sold. After all it was better to cut screens into 12 or 16 pieces to make money than to sell one large screen. So many pieces were destroyed to make a few dollars or pounds.
greg

 

That was a translation from a local Chinese speaker, but I'm hoping someone here can verify or update.

 

Makes total sense Greg (although sad in terms of the items cut up).

 

As for the drawing on the back, it looks to me like there's a good chance it was done by a child.

 

I could totally believe that. It is fascinating to think about the story behind it.

 

I often wish I knew the story behind old items... who owned them, how they used them, what the items meant to them, etc.

 

The wax seal was applied by a dealer not the relics department, it just means it was certified to leave the country, nothing to do with being authentic or not.