Chinese Figure on Wooden Stand, Circa 1900. Ivory Paste and Hand Decorated.

Beautiful antique Chinese figure depicting a soldier dressed in traditional military clothes. This piece dates from the early 20th century (circa 1900) and is made of faux ivory. It is profusely decorated with carved motives and stands on a milled cylindrical pedestal made of lacquered wood. Some parts of the figure have been hand-decorated with black ink strokes intending to enhanced them and make them more realistic: the mans hair, beard and plaited belt. This sculpture depicts a man in a relaxed pose, dressed in traditional military clothes and with a quiet and concentrated expression.The soldier wears a curious antique oriental hat and his face is adorned by a slim and long moustache and a sharp-pointed goatee. The eyes upper lids and pupils are enhanced by touches of black ink. He is dressed in a coat of mail which covers him from shoulders to toes, making up an oriental uniform with a sword in an ornamental scabbard as the finishing touch. He is grabbing some kind of scepter in his right hand, while his left one is holding a full bag knotted with a rope.The figure is decorated in detail: it faithfully reproduces the plaited laces of the belt and the mail, the decoration of the swords scabbard and the boats, the armors fringes and edges, the bags creases The pedestal where this figure stands on is made of solid wood. It is a cylindrical and milled piece which has been lacquered in a dark red glossy finish, intended to enhance the ivory color of the figure. This antique and fine-looking Chinese soldier will be the perfect detail to adorn a shelf or table in the most elegant and sober living room.Measurements: Height: 300 mm (with pedestal). Width: 95 mm.