Sometime referred to as ivory puzzle balls in the West, these extreme works of art are marvels to behold and almost impossible to recreate with modern techniques.
Ivory Balls of Nested Concentric Layers Decorated With Openwork Figures 象牙雕鏤空人物套球
Ivory Carving | Qing dynasty (1644-1911) | National Palace Museum Collection 象牙雕｜清 （公元1644年-1911年）｜牙骨角蚌皮器,摩羯魚長8.4公分 寬4.4 公分 厚0.4公分；仕女捧花長8.6公分 寬5.4 公分 厚3.2公分；球徑10.1公分；和合二仙長5.2公分 寬3.8公分 厚3.1公 分；鎖鏈長13.7公分；穗全長約39.0 公分；通高54.8公分｜國立故宮博物院
They are not as rare as they seem to be. This piece de resistance in the museum was often wrongly attributed to Emperor Qianlong. This ivory carving was dated late Qing dynasty from Guangdong area. This is made from a single section of an ivory tusk, carved layer by layer from inside. There are a total of 18 layers and each spherical layer can spin independently.
This set of movable openwork ivory balls nested in concentric layers comprise four main parts: a dragon fish hook 鰲魚勾, two ladies-in-waiting carved in a rotunda 立雕二仕女層, a set of 18-layered nested concentric balls 鏤空套球, and a pendant depicting the Immortals of Harmony and Union 和合二仙. There are chains carved from the same piece of ivory that held the hook and the top balance and the ivory ball with the counterbalance. Only the top balance and the ivory ball are connected by a thread and hidden away from sight using an outer ivory sphere.
At least 17 nested concentric balls have been counted, with fluid movement allowed between each layer. On their outer side, mountain and water landscapes, pavilions, and figures have been carved in high relief, while the inner side is decorated with openwork image patterns.
Based on the carving technique and style, this openwork set of nested ivory balls was likely made by Canton ivory carvers dating from after the mid-Qing era. During the Qing dynasty, the linked chains, animated openwork, floss weaving, and nested concentric ivory balls of the Lingnan (Southern) School of ivory carving were so wondrous that they were referred to by the Inner Courts of the Forbidden City 内廷 as the work of 仙工 or “artisan out of this world”.
The Japanese tried to replicate this and showcased their effort side-by-side one that as made by Canton artisans during the Panama-Pacific International Fair in San Francisco in 1915. To prove the superiority and authenticity claim, the organisers did a bake-off by soaking both puzzles in water – the Japanese one disintegrated while the Cantonese on remained whole.
This Ivory Balls of Nested Concentric Layers Decorated With Openwork Figures was found among the items stored in the Curios Warehouse in the Forbidden City, and there were two of them. These ivory balls were carved en mass during the late 19th century for export in Canton (modern day Guangdong Province), and they were bestsellers of the Thirteen Hongs which sold them all around the world.
Set of Carved Openwork Concentric Ivory Balls with Cloud-and-Dragon Decoration 廣東 鏤雕象牙雲龍紋套球
Ivory Carving | Qing dynasty (1644-1911) | National Palace Museum Collection 象牙雕｜清 （公元1644年-1911年）｜球徑12.0公分 座高44.9公分；木座長29.4公分 寬29.4公分 高9.6公分｜國立故宮博物院
This ivory sphere was carved from a single solid piece of elephant ivory to form successive openwork spheres inside, serving as either a hanging or resting decorative piece. From the inside to the outer layer, this type of sphere carving consists of several levels of openwork to form concentric balls, the diameter of each differing slightly from the preceding one. With each sphere nestled perfectly within the next, they form what appears to be an ordinary ball. However, each unit inside can move freely, demonstrating the ingenious and precise level of engraving by the artisan(s). Altogether, this piece has 21 layers.
This piece was moved to the Southern Branch of National Palace Museum (in Jiayi City 嘉義市) since 2020. If you want to see the actual piece, you have to down south. Or there’s another smaller version at Guangdong Museum.
About Canton Carving
Canton Carving 广雕 refers to the carved handicrafts made in Canton (modern day Guangzhou) with Lingnan characteristics, including the carvings on ivory, wood, shell, brick and bone etc. Since the Qing Dynasty, Canton Carving absorbed western cultural elements, and formed artistic characteristics of novel and unique design, vivid shapes and delicate technique. As you can see from these artefacts from Guangdong Museum, the skills of these Canton carvers have yet to surpassed. Some artisans are still practicing the craft today, and some of the modern pieces fetch very good price on the market. Of course, ivory trading is officially banned in Mainland China.
About Chinese National Treasure Series
中華國寶系列 Chinese National Treasure series feature specific artefacts and relics from museums all around the world that are historically significant to be considered a National Treasure. The series covers the 5,000 years of Chinese civilisation from Neolithic periods before the Xia dynasty (c. 2070-1600 BC) to modern day.
Pingback: National Palace Museum: Chinese Treasures That Shaped the World – Asia Encounters