Museum Quality Original 19th Century Chinese/ Canton Carved Puzzle Ball- Large Example Carved 12 Layers Deep

We are offering a spectacular antique Chinese carved 'puzzle ball', from the Canton region and dating to circa 1880. Puzzle balls were high end export pieces for the European market in the 19th century, and created by intricately carving individual, free-moving balls within the outer structure. This example goes 12 layers deep, and each floating ball moves individually of the one above and below it. There are literally 12 individual freely-moving balls, all incrementaly smaller than the one before it. Only true masters created these large examples, which took literally HUNDREDS of hours to carve. It measures 3.25" around, slightly smaller than a tennis ball [quite large, as most are only 2-4 layers deep and the size of a marble]. PLEASE NOTE- it is in in pristine condition. No visible damages or losses, which is scarce for a piece this delicate and roughly 140 years old.
LAST PHOTO- shows large scale, using a quarter for perspective. VERY large example.

Please note- in order to free the layer below, a carver spent many hours carving its' design with a needle-wide tool, only to dig behind the lower ball to free it from the outer layer. It is carved from a single piece of material, and NOT pieced together. Thus the prices it realizes at auction.

Excellent

Fine Art, Sculpture

18%

Mark Ciccarini | (475) 319-1085 | rayciccarini@yahoo.com

Pickup Details

Heritage Legacy Auctions

New Haven, CT 06513

When to Pickup

Saturday, 4/29, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

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