Immortal Figurine, China, 20th century.

Immortal Figurine, China, 20th century.
Jadeite.
Measurements: 78 x 68 x 32 cm.

The figure is depicted with a gentle smile, a goatee, and a serene gaze. He wears loose-fitting scholar’s robes (hanfu) with flowing folds and leans naturally against a rocky outcrop. In his left hand, he holds a folded fan, a classic attribute associated with contemplative reflection, erudition, and the dignity of Eastern sages. The meticulous direct carving from a large block of stone is particularly noteworthy. The material displays natural veins and flashes of a deep moss-green hue against a dark matrix; the skillful use of polishing highlights the volume of the anatomy, the drape of the fabrics, and the natural texture of the rock.
Standing nearly 80 cm tall and of considerable size, this is a major freestanding piece within 20th-century Chinese ornamental stonework, designed to preside over prominent spaces or collections of Oriental art.