East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A beautiful pair of intricate hand-carved wooden corbel panels that depict peonies and foliage surrounding phoenixes and songbirds. Both panels are made to be viewed from all sides, once serving as ornamental and symbolic embellishments on a special building, and the vertical tenon side of one corbel has a handwritten Chinese inscription in black ink. The mythical phoenix is also called the "feng huang," and the etymology of the name is derived from "emperor." The phoenix will only appear in times of prosperity and peace, an auspicious being to adorn a building and usher in fortune! Size: 15" L x 5" W x 23" H (38.1 cm x 12.7 cm x 58.4 cm)
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, 1995 to 2010; ex-M. Kobiashi collection, Hawaii, USA, 1960 to 2000
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#168207
Condition
Losses to upper flat edge and head of phoenix on one corbel and loss to foliage on the other corbel. Chips, nicks, and abrasions to high pointed areas and stable pressure fissures. Surface wear and weathering commensurate with age and exposure. Beautiful patina and sharp details. Faint handwritten characters on side of one corbel.