Antique Chinese Card Holder in Carved Sandalwood. China, Ca. 1900

Antique Chinese card holder made of hand-carved sandal circa 1900, in fine condition. This piece is original from the time and is more than one hundred years old. It only shows a small repair at one of the lids sides; the rest of the item is in good condition. The card holder is rectangular in shape; its surface is entirely covered of hand-carved motifs, made with great precision and delicacy. The carved motifs make up a scene that continues from one side to the other, depicting an Oriental-style landscape with small temples and wooden bridges emerging form a leafy forest. Among the trees and the buildings we find many male figures in groups or couples, while others walk by themselves. The figures are dressed in a traditional and austere way and their heads are shaved. Some of the carry baskets or bundles. The figures, the leaves and the buildings are skillfully and beautifully carved, mainly if we consider the items small size. This antique Chinese card holder made of hand-carved sandal wood is a gorgeous collectors piece which can still be used to store cards and other memorabilia. Dimensions: Width: 2.32 in / 5.8 cm. 3.8 in / Height: 9.8 cm. Depth: 0.4 in / 1 cm.