清 瑪瑙佛手擺件|Buddha’s hand

Art Historical Context

This exquisite carnelian Buddha’s hand ornament, carved in 18th-century Qing dynasty China, captures the fruit’s distinctive, finger-like segments in remarkable detail. Standing just 4 inches (10.2 cm) tall, the piece is fashioned from a single block of red carnelian—a semiprecious hardstone prized for its warm translucency and durability. Qing artisans excelled in such intricate hardstone carvings, transforming raw minerals into lifelike scholar’s objects or display pieces (摆件) through meticulous techniques like incising veins, polishing surfaces to a high gloss, and hollowing interiors for r...