Set of concentric ivory balls with open-work carving

Ch'ing dynasty (A.D. 1644-1911)
Height: 54.8 cm Diameter: 11.7 cm

A single piece of ivory is ingeniously carved into twenty-one moveable concentric balls. Each ball is carved with openwork designs; the outermost ball is most ornately carved with dragons and cloud patterns. The balls rest on a tall and thin ivory stand, which is equally ornate and skillfully carved. As part of the stand's decoration there is another set of small concentric balls.

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