Sarah Le Helley

中國藝術：您的收藏從這裡開始

惊艳的晚清/民初中国手工雕刻 antique / 古董纸质：手工雕刻晚清至民初时期（约1870-1930）极具珍稀的


STUNNING ANTIQUE CHINESE HAND-CARVED LATE QING / EARLY REPUBLIC PERIOD (c. 1870-1930)
MANTRA/SUTRA PRESENTATION CHOPSTICK SET IN DEEP-RELIEF WRAP-AROUND CARVED HARDWOOD CASE

A RARE MASTERPIECE ANOMALY FEATURING ANCIENT HAND-INSCRIBED TEXT, ADVANCED TWO-TIMBER HYBRID JOINERY,
NATURAL SHIMMERING SILVERY RESIN, AND A BEAUTIFUL ALIVE "EARTHY MUSHROOM" NATURAL FRAGRANCE.

Overview:
Up for sale is an absolutely magnificent, high-status antique Chinese presentation chopstick set that is a true marvel of historic craftsmanship. Dating from the Late Qing Dynasty to the Early Republic period (circa 1870s–1930s), this ceremonial set features two pairs of heavily hand-carved chopsticks nestled within its original, beautifully preserved sliding-top wooden case. This item is in remarkable antique condition, completely untouched by modern chemicals, and boasts organic, geological-like characteristics rarely seen on the fine art market.

The Presentation Case & Master-Level Joinery:
The case is an absolute masterpiece of historic woodwork, meticulously hand-carved across ALL visible faces. Unlike common cases that only feature a decorated lid, this luxury case boasts highly intricate, deep-relief wrap-around carving spanning the top lid, both long side profiles, and the flush end caps. The artistic design features a continuous vine scroll interwoven with repeating, stylized Plum Blossoms and Orchids—traditional symbols of resilience and boundless longevity.

ADVANCED TWO-TIMBER HYBRID CONSTRUCTION:
In a display of master-level antique cabinetry, the box utilizes two distinct historic woods. The main chassis features a beautiful, loose-grained light chocolate brown hardwood. However, both end frames are meticulously engineered from a separate, ultra-dense, charcoal-black "sinking wood" that perfectly matches the chopsticks. Both end frames are brilliantly carved to incorporate the dome of the sliding top, creating a beautiful visual profile of an opening Lotus flower with its petals spreading wide around a central bud. When held to the light, these dense black end frames showcase a spectacular crystalline silver shimmer entirely absent from the rest of the case.

The Utensils & Extraordinary Material Properties (Aged Sinking Wood / Agarwood):
The two pairs of chopsticks are where this set becomes truly extraordinary. They are hand-carved with traditional leaf/geometric accents on the upper square handles, which gradually taper down into smooth, rounded tips—reflecting the classical Chinese cosmic philosophy of Tian Yuan Di Fang ("Heaven is round, Earth is square").

THE EXTENSIVE CHINESE MANTRA/SUTRA INSCRIPTIONS:
Unlike common presentation sets that feature a single brief phrase at the handle, these chopsticks feature an incredible density of sacred craftsmanship. Faint but distinctly visible groups of 5 to 6 traditional Chinese characters are meticulously hand-carved down multiple sides, spanning the full length of the utensils including some large carved standalone symbols at wide chopstick end bases. This extensive text strongly indicates a sacred protective mantra or passages from a Buddhist Sutra (such as the Heart Sutra), common in high-status scholars' objects or monastic commemorative pieces. The characters are executed in un-simplified historic script, worn beautifully into the fibrous grain over a century of natural environmental aging. Due to their immense age, the thin wood profiles have naturally and gracefully bowed/twisted over the decades—a classic indicator of genuine, historic, non-stabilized old-growth timber reacting to time.

Unique Collector Attributes:
* THE SCENT: This wood is genuinely "alive" and breathing. When lightly handled or warmed by touch, it releases a beautiful, deeply comforting, and rich aroma of earthy mushrooms and antique incense.
* THE WEIGHT: The chopsticks feel remarkably heavy in the hand for their size, mimicking the dense weight of bone, stone, or highly prized "sinking wood" (Chenxiang).
* THE SHIMMERING PATINA & SAP: The chopsticks have oxidized into a beautiful charcoal-black and chocolate-brown patina. Incredibly, the high-resin wood is naturally secreting a jet-black/chocolate gum-like sap. Under direct light, this crystallized resin reflects light with an amazing, metallic, silver shimmering quality that looks like embedded silver flakes.

Condition Report:
In remarkable, uncleaned antique condition. The wood is perfectly preserved with its natural patina intact. No cracks, chips, or breaks to the box or carvings. The chopsticks show natural environmental bowing from age, which only confirms their organic antiquity, authenticity, and genuine history.

Dimensions:
* Presentation Box: 24.6 cm (Length) x 4.7 cm (Width) x 2.7 cm (Height)
* Chopsticks: 21.5 cm (Length) x 0.7 cm to 0.8 cm (Width at upper square handle)

Please view all photos closely to appreciate the unique resin crystallization, lotus end profiles, historic carved inscriptions, and all carving work!

Item will be shipped fully insured, tracked and signed for!

我們的專家提供此估值，以便您競標時作為參考之用。它基於預期需求和物品的獨有特質，例如品質、稀有度或所有權歷史。我們無法保證物品會以此金額出售、轉售或取得相同估價。

清末时期的中国手工雕刻沉香木“沉木”筷子套装 咒语 - 沉香 - 中國 - 清朝（1644-1911）

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晚清至民國早期手工雕刻沉香木筷子組，刻有經文/咒語，原裝，狀況極佳。

清末时期的中国手工雕刻沉香木“沉木”筷子套装咒语 - 沉香 - 中國 - 清朝（1644-1911）

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晚清至民國早期手工雕刻沉香木筷子組，刻有經文/咒語，原裝，狀況極佳。

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清末时期的中国手工雕刻沉香木“沉木”筷子套装 咒语 - 沉香 - 中國 - 清朝（1644-1911）

Catawiki買家保障

Trustpilot評分 4.4 | 141384 則評論

與朋友分享此物品

晚清至民國早期手工雕刻沉香木筷子組，刻有經文/咒語，原裝，狀況極佳。

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詳細資料

清末时期的中国手工雕刻沉香木“沉木”筷子套装咒语 - 沉香 - 中國 - 清朝（1644-1911）