CHINE, DYNASTIE QING, EPOQUE KANGXI (1662-1722)

Yang Yuxuan or Yang Ji, was active during the mid-17th century and was one of the most renowned soapstone carvers of his time. He is credited with popularizing the trend of incorporating natural irregularities in stone into carving designs. No definitive work by the artist is known but a number of fine carvings are thought to be attributed to Yang Yuxuan. The carver of the present figure has cleverly used the paler creamy grey tones of the stone to carve the flywhisk.