The appraised work is a Chinese soapstone carving likely from the latter portion of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), probably late 19th/ very early 20th century. The carving depicts a pair of flowering vases with intricately, reticulated carved chrysanthemum branches and an intermingled bird. A particularly soft rock, soapstone has been carved by Chinese artisans for centuries. The material is characterized by a “soap-like” feel, which is due to the significant presence of talc. Soapstone coloration varies and can include cream/off-white, red, brown, and green. Due to its abundance and continued popularity, many soapstone carvings were created for the tourist and export markets.

The estimate provided is based on comparable examples recently offered and sold at auction. In many cases, pricing for similar examples available on the retail market vary and are often higher than secondary market examples.