18TH-19TH CENTURY

Like the stones used for garden and scholar’s rocks, objects made of rootwood, such as the present sculpture, embody the Daoist concept of qi, the 'spirit-energy’ of which all things are made. The organic forms of these materials were appealing as they conveyed a sense of humility and a connection to nature. Although initially chosen for their natural shape, these pieces were often enhanced or worked by hand in order to emphasize or clarify certain characteristics in the material, all the while aiming to retain the inherent authenticity.