Carved Figure of Chinese Immortal Han Xiang Zi with Flute and Stand

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Carved Figure of Chinese Immortal Han Xiang Zi with Flute and Stand

DateQing Dynasty, possibly 19th century

Object NameFigure

Mediumsoapstone

ClassificationsApplied Art

DimensionsOverall: Height: 18.4 cm, Width: 8 cm, Diameter: 4.6 cm

AcquisitionPresented in 1947.

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDMS024839

Keywords

About MeCarved greenish/grey soapstone figure of Chinese Immortal Han Xiang Zi who is holding a flute. The figure sits on a dark soapstone base.

Han Xiang Zi is one of the Chinese Eight Immortals, a group of deities revered by the Taoist religion and popular within Chinese secular culture. Each of the immortals is attributed with a special power, Han Xiang Zi is known as the philosopher, his flute is meant to bestow life.

Hardstone carving is a form of decorative art that has been a part of Chinese culture for over 3,000 years. This is largely due to many of the precious and semi-precious stones used, such as jade, turquoise, malachite, quartz and agate, occurring naturally in certain territories of China.

These different types of stones feature a wide variety of properties that Chinese artists were able to exploit, incorporating the natural coloration and textural qualities of the stones into their designs. Soapstone in particular has a wide colour range, from white through to almost black, depending on its composition. It is so named because of its soap like texture that derives from a 30% to 80% talc content, which also gives it its softness, making it easy to intricately carve.
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This soapstone carving depicts the Chinese patron deity of flautists, Han Xiang Zi, holding a bamboo flute, with which he has the power to bestow life.