Carved Tibetan Figure (Possibly Buddha) on Horseback
DatePossibly 19th century
Object NameFigure
Mediumsoapstone
ClassificationsApplied Art
DimensionsOverall: Height: 25.5 cm, Width: 12 cm, Diameter: 7 cm
AcquisitionBequeathed in 1928 by Miss Ann Reid.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS024844
About MeCarved soapstone Tibetan figure (possibly Buddha) with elaborate headdress, sitting on the back of a horse. The figure is on a carved dark soapstone stand.
Hardstone carving is a form of decorative art that has been a part of Oriental 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 East Asian countries, including China, Tibet and Burma.
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.
Qing Dynasty, possibly 19th century
Qing Dynasty, possibly 19th century
Qing Dynasty, possibly 19th century
Qing Dynasty, possibly 19th century
James Cromar Watt
Qing Dynasty, 18th - 19th century
James Cromar Watt
Qing Dynasty Qianlong/Jiaqing Period, 1736 - 1820
Qing Dynasty, possibly 19th century
Qing Dynasty, 19th century
