Discover the Ancient Secret Behind This Intricately Carved Masterpiece!
September 15, 2024
Source: Reddit
Estate sales have a strange appeal to them and it is almost like opening up a door to the past or Going through a treasure chest. To this day I can recall the thrill of discovering a beautifully carved ivory ball at one such auction house lodged away in a corner covered in dust. These pictures made me think of the times we spent at my grandmother’s house, when I was a child and used to sit at her parlor admiring the various items that my grandmother had collected in her lifetime. Acording to the books between the porcelain dolls and fine china there was always something which was shrouded in some mystic and was beautiful—a piece which had a history, which could be linked to the past. It made me recall the days when I used to appreciate those little things in life when I saw that small carved ball.
But what was this fragile thingy? What it was, however, was a puzzle ball—a work of art that is very much part of Chinese culture.
A puzzle ball or concentric ball is a work of art in which several shell like layers are carved out one within the other from a single piece of material. These spheres move freely within one another creating a beautiful piece of work with exceptional design. The carvings are generally of flowers, butterflies or dragons and other animal themes which are a representation of the yin yang philosophy of balance andfortune. It has been done with a lot of precision and I must say that the workmanship done is superb. Think of craftsmen in early China who painstakingly chiselled layer after layer in a manner as precise as possible with the help of small instruments and never cracking the outer shell.
It is therefore not a surprise that these puzzle balls became popular among the Western collectors in the 19th century especially during the China trade. They were not only the beautiful artworks but also the representation of the oriental mystery and art, a hope for the people to own a piece of unknown culture in their everyday life.
However, the puzzle balls were not only ornaments either. Some of them also had cultural significance. In the Qing dynasty which existed from 1644 to 1912, such items were used to show ones status. Those who owned a puzzle ball must have possessed the financial capability and the knowledge of art as it was a great form of art in Chinese culture where flowers and nature were carved to depict harmony and beauty of life in the Chinese philosophy.
During the nineteenth century these objects became part of the European aristocratic and collectors’ interior decoration and were used as displays and signs of the grandeur of exploration. The development of trade and the curiosity of the ‘Oriental’ consequently created the demand for unique items and puzzle balls were one of them. These rather complex items were not only decorative, they were also a symbol of the growing global village, people’s cultures brought closer together.
For those who are able to come across one of these balls today, the same fascination that was felt by their original owners still continues to be experienced. These puzzle balls were in vogue in the 19th century, and they were made from ivory or bone but today you can find the same in resin. Besides their worth in terms of value, they provide a feeling of touch, a feeling that makes you slide the layers, asking yourself how such work could be done with such finesse. It is something that we do not have much in our modern and fast-paced world – the feel of history, the work of art made with attention to detail and time.
Although, various countries have put laws against the sales of endangered species such as elephants and banned the sale of ivory, there are ways through which one can enjoy these pieces without causing harm. Real puzzle balls are made of animal bones, and although they are collected and sold, they are a bit more expensive and raise some ethical issues; replica bones, as well as resin replicas of these puzzle balls, give the same idea without the associated problems.
Sitting in your hand, a puzzle ball is a piece of history, a piece of work that tells about the past when people valued art and skill. These small wonders might not be as easily found in today’s world but they do reflect on a time when beauty and patience worked hand in hand. Thus, the next time you visit an estate sale or an antique store, look for these beautifully carved balls; you might find a history hidden in them waiting to be told.