Pair of 20c Chinese Soapstone Carved Bookends

Description

Presenting a lovely pair of 20C Chinese Soapstone carved bookends.

Made in China in the early 20th Century circa 1930. … more Presenting a lovely pair of 20C Chinese Soapstone carved bookends.

Made in China in the early 20th Century circa 1930.

This is a matching and reverse facing pair of mottled brown and tan soapstone carvings to create a very unusual pair of bookends.

Carved in relief in what appear to be planters/jardiniere’s with flowing flowers.

They sits on solid flat base with heart shaped indents on the front.

Provenance: From a Private Dallas Estate.

Condition: In very good original condition with no chips cracks or losses.

Dimensions: Each is 4.25 inches tall, 3.4 inches wide and 1.4 inches deep.
Soapstone (also known as steatite or soaprock) is a talc–schist, which is a type of metamorphic rock. It is composed largely of the magnesium rich mineral talc. It is produced by dynamothermal metamorphism and metasomatism, which occur in the zones where tectonic plates are subducted, changing rocks by heat and pressure, with influx of fluids, but without melting. It has been a medium for carving for thousands of years.

During the Spring and Autumn Period (771–476 BC), soapstone was carved into ceremonial knives. Soapstone was also used to carve Chinese seals. less