Hairy Monkey 毛猴
Insect Toy, Folk culture
The Hairy Monkey was probably invented in Beijing during the Qing Dynasty. The most common Hairy Monkey sculptures feature dancing or posturing monkeys.
Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD)
Small, Furry
Craft
Enamel Painted Porcelain 琺瑯彩繪瓷 (景泰藍)
Porcelain, Colour, Pattern
Enamel Painted Porcelain was pottery that featured unique techniques such as overglaze painting and cloisonné (embedding of minerals). It emerged during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 AD) which dubbed it as Qing porcelain. The Qing imperial court would order custom-made pieces of enamel painted porcelain.
Ordinary Chinese Porcelain
Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 AD)
White Porcelain, Blue and White Porcelain, Black Porcelain, Celadon
Hard, Smooth, Colourful
Craft
Jadeite Cabbage 翠玉白菜
Mineral, Jade, Vegetable-like objects
Another piece of rock that has been carved into the shape of a Chinese cabbage head. It even has two insects crawling among the leaves.
Late Qing Dynasty (1644 AD- 1911 AD)
Small, Reflective and bright colour, Smooth texture
Craft
Meat-shaped Stone 肉形石
Meat-like object, Stone, Jade
This mouth-watering chunk of stewed pork belly with a gratuitous layer of fat and glistening sheen is actually a piece of rock—jasper to be exact—that was cleverly carved and dyed to resemble a succulent piece of meat by an anonymous Qing dynasty artist in the 19th-century.
Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD)
Meat Stone
Rough surface, Layered colours
Craft
Chinese Jade 翡翠
Jade crafting were among the most precious and luxurious ones, with a history of four thousand years. Jade symbolizes merit, grace and dignity and occupies a special position in people's consciousness. It is used both to decorate rooms, and as jewelry by people hoping for a blessing. People believed that jade was the expression of the most beautiful stone.
Qing Dynasty (1644 AD – 1911 AD)
Hard, Smooth
Craft