Pair of rare antique early Qing, possibly 18th century, architectural corbel carvings carved with horse and bird motif made out of camphor hardwood. Both sides are carved. These carvings have been refinished in layers of lacquer coating.

Horse subject is seen in old Chinese woodwork occasionally, but not too often. This is possibly because the old Chinese woodworkers often favored subjects more obviously associated with auspicious meaning in Chinese culture, such as mythical creatures, as one also sees the auspicious cloud-like Ruyi motif added to the bottom of these corbels to elevate the everyday object into a world with more blessing. These horses, each under a big tree, however, whether in a pose to graze the green or biting at one feet, are beautifully and wonderfully rendered.

Dimensions (each): 13"w x 4"d x 19"h

---