117 - Chinese scholar with attributes of command, Qing Dynasty China, 19th century

Chinese scholar with attributes of command, Qing Dynasty China, 19th century Carved ivory sculpture. Measures 13.5 cm. Figure of a scholar depicted standing, dressed in a traditional robe and official headdress, holding a scribe's tablet and a staff of office, symbols of knowledge, authority, and administrative rank within classical Chinese culture. The face is characterized by a serene and restrained expression, with balanced features that reinforce the dignity of the figure. The drapery is rendered in flowing, well-defined folds that structure the vertical composition. The surface displays a warm patina resulting from the natural aging of the material. Stylistically, the work belongs to the sculptural tradition of the Qing dynasty, where such figures embodied the Confucian values of erudition, order, and social hierarchy.