FR EN
carved wooden panel with a nativity scene in the middle of it
Jeschke Jádi Auctions Berlin

385 - China Chinese relief depicting a historical narrative (Sango…
See original version (German)

Estimate €500 - €750
Sale commission
Description
China Chinese relief depicting a historical narrative (Sangokushi Yanyi). Probably camphor or pear wood. Set in a frame. 55.5 x 29 cm (58.7 x 32.5 cm). Late Qing Dynasty (late 19th century) to the early Republican period (early 20th century) (c. 1880–1930), when such panels were popular as decorative or architectural elements. China, probably southern China (e.g. Guangdong, Fujian or the Huizhou region). The relief most likely depicts a scene from the classical novel *The Romance of the Three Kingdoms* (Sangokushi Yanyi), one of the most popular works of Chinese literature about the wars between the kingdoms of Wei, Shu and Wu following the collapse of the Han dynasty. This is not a typical single narrative depiction of battles featuring heroes, warriors and courtiers – often used in temples or ancestral halls to convey virtues such as loyalty and heroism. Central pavilions with multiple levels and curved roofs, surrounded by combatants on horseback and on foot, bridges, as well as pine trees and rocks, correspond exactly to descriptions of such panels from *The Romance of the Three Kingdoms*. The dense arrangement of figures, open carving and dramatic movement are stylistic hallmarks of this narrative tradition, which was widespread in wood carvings from the Ming/Qing period onwards. – The upper edge of the relief has a tear; otherwise in good condition. Chinese relief depicting a historical narrative (Sangokushi Yanyi). Probably camphor or pear wood. Framed. 55.5 x 29 cm (58.7 x 32.5 cm). Late Qing Dynasty (late 19th century) to the early Republican era (early 20th century) (c. 1880–1930), when these panels were popular as decorative or architectural elements. China, likely southern China (e.g., Guangdong, Fujian, or the Huizhou region). The relief most likely depicts a scene from the classic novel *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* (*Sangokushi Yanyi*), one of the most popular works of Chinese literature about the wars between the Wei, Shu and Wu kingdoms following the collapse of the Han Dynasty. This is not a typical single narrative depiction of battles featuring heroes, warriors and courtiers – often used in temples or ancestral halls to convey virtues such as loyalty and heroism. Central pavilions with multiple levels and curved roofs, surrounded by combatants on horseback and on foot, bridges, as well as pine trees and rocks, correspond exactly to descriptions of such panels from “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms”. The dense arrangement of figures, open carving and dramatic movement are stylistic hallmarks of this narrative tradition, which was widespread in wood carvings from the Ming/Qing period onwards. – The upper edge of the relief has a tear; otherwise in good condition.
See original version (German)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like