Chinese Hand Carved Wooden Card Holder. XIX Century. Very Well Preserved

This nice Chinese card case is made of profusely hand-carved wood and dates from the 19th century. It is a really delicate piece which was manufactured in China for export. The first thing we notice in this case is the excellent carving work performed in all its sides. The carvings depict traditional scenes, made with great detail and with high accuracy, which testifies for the artists skill. Even the narrow sides of the case have been carefully carved: the sides and the upper and bottom edges. This beautiful carving work is undoubtedly one of the most attractive features of this card case. The scenes are typical of Chinese imagery. In them we can see a number of figures with traditional clothes and shaven heads, who evolve and interact in a lush forest. Scattered around the forest there are some characteristic pagoda-shaped buildings, and also bridges, walls, railings It is really surprising how many well-defined elements the artist has represented in such a small object. The carving is fine and delicate, and we can see lovely details such as the flowers in the trees, the buildings bricks, the railing or the figures clothing. This antique card case is in very good condition. The wood shows a nice reddish color and is not stained or worn. The carving is complete, with no broken or missing parts. The top of the case can be lifted and removed, and so we can see the thin slot meant to insert business cards in. The fine carving work, so precise that it is difficult to find something similar in other hand-crafted items, is a feature which together with the good condition of the case and the nice tone of the wood, turn this delicate piece into a beautiful present for any lover of beauty and antiques. Measurements: 70 mm width x 110 mm height.