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What kinds of ivory objects did workshops in Beijing and Guangzhou produce during the Qing dynasty?
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ivory carving
Kinugumiut Inupiat incised walrus ivory shaman's figure, c. 1890; in the National Museum of the American Indian, George Gustav Heye Center, Smithsonian Institution, New York City.
During the Qing dynasty (1644β1912), workshops in Beijing and Guangzhou served as the primary centers for fine ivory carving. These artisans produced a wide variety of items, including:
- Figures: Sculpted individually or in groups, often enhanced with stains and lacquers.
- Desk and Study Fittings: Including cylindrical brush boxes, table screens, and armrests, all carved in high or low relief.
- Personal and Court Accessories: Sceptres, perfume boxes, mirror cases, and various toilet articles for court ladies.
- Smoking and Snuff Accessories: Snuff bottles, snuff dishes, and items related to opium smoking.
- Decorative Supports: Stands designed for fine porcelains.
These workshops were renowned for reviving the art of coloring ivory, creating pieces that many connoisseurs consider the finest examples of the Chinese carvers' art.1