CARVED WOOD HELM. 18-19TH CENTURIES
Antiques - Miscellaneous / Other Objects
Reference: Z5907
Oriental ship's rudder, late 18th – early 19th century. Carved wood and brass. An oriental ship's wheel with an English influence, made of brass and high-quality carved wood. The top of the wheel is worked in a round shape, taking the form of a greyhound's head with stylised features. The greyhound is a typical motif in English decorative arts of the period, but its essential, elongated and sinuous treatment reminds us that we are looking at a piece of oriental craftsmanship. In fact, the central area of the wheel is completely carved with the figure of a dragon coiled around the mast. This mythical animal represents the power of change in nature, the Tao, as well as the concept of yang (masculine), and is related to time as a bringer of rain and water. It is also often used as a national symbol of China, and in fact appeared on the national flag until the end of the Qing dynasty. Here he is depicted with great attention to detail, evidencing a virtuosity typical of oriental ornamental sculpture: we see each of the dragon's scales, and even the ripples of the water beneath its body, the leaves among which it swims... The lower third of the rudder is almost completely unadorned, displaying a smooth, slightly curved profile. At its end it is decorated with a simple recessed carving, with a geometric motif on two planes.
· Size: 10x10x160 cms.
1.800 €
