261 - Caravan driver and camel on the Silk Road, China, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century

Caravan driver and camel on the Silk Road, China, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century Wood. Dimensions 114 cm x Ht 44 cm. This sculptural group depicts a caravan driver on the Silk Road accompanied by his camel harnessed to a cart, arranged in a horizontal narrative composition. The figure stands beside the vehicle with one arm raised, a gesture that introduces dynamism and directs the viewer's eye, while the robustly proportioned camel supports the harness. The cart, with its well-defined wheels and compact volume, completes the visual composition. The wood carving features simplified yet expressive modeling, emphasizing silhouettes and clearly defining each element. The surfaces display patina and traces of age, reinforcing their historical character. The work dates to the Qing Dynasty of the 19th century, evoking the importance of trade routes and the imagery associated with the Silk Road in Chinese sculptural tradition.