Figure on horseback. China, 20th century.

Figurine on horseback. China, 20th century.
Ruby set in zoisite.
Measurements: 90 x 52 x 28 cm.

A 20th-century Chinese sculpture carved from ruby with zoisite. The work depicts a sage or dignitary on horseback, a classic motif in Eastern gemstone art. The material used is notable for its natural hallmarks: the vibrant green matrix of the zoisite intertwines with the reddish and purple inlays of the opaque ruby, accompanied by dark veins of hornblende—a highly prized mineral combination for the creation of detailed ornamental figures.