Ostrich egg. China, Qing Dynasty (1644-1912).

Ostrich egg. China, Qing Dynasty (1644-1912).
Hand painted. With ebony wood stand.
Measurements: 19 x 12 cm.

This singular work of art consists of a hand-painted ostrich egg, on which is represented a processional scene of oriental inspiration, meticulously executed with fine brush and sober but expressive colors. The human figures, arranged in movement along the oval body of the egg, seem to be part of a ceremonial or ritual procession, possibly related to courtly or religious traditions of the Qing dynasty (1644-1912). The aesthetics of the scene, the treatment of space and the details of the costume and architecture clearly refer to the visual art of China during this period, characterized by a rich pictorial narrative and meticulous attention to detail.

The egg rests on a carved dark wood stand designed in the shape of an ostrich claw, the workmanship of which suggests a high degree of craftsmanship. The choice of this exotic and unusual form seems to accentuate the hybrid character of the piece: a fusion of the natural, the symbolic and the ornamental. The contrast between the delicately illustrated surface of the egg and the expressive solidity of the base creates a visual tension that adds aesthetic depth to the whole.

It is undoubtedly a decorative piece of exceptional character, which may have been conceived both for the domestic consumption of the elite and for the export market, which during the 18th and 19th centuries showed an avid interest in luxury oriental objects. The combination of the ostrich egg - an object already considered exotic in Asia - with a typically Qing scene, reveals a meeting of worlds, where nature, art and collecting converge.