A
large and cleanly carved section of a fine Asian tusk,
color of milk and cream, with streaks and whorls of
gold in places where the layers merge, as well as striations
that mark the piece overall, becoming less visible where
the face is carved from the finest, whitest and densest
section of the material, as it narrows toward the tip.
This smaller end of the tusk is solid, unlike the wide
end which is hollow for about a third to half the length
of the tusk. In contrast to the golden markings, the
lighter areas have cool highlights.
Carved
in a slight bending posture conforming with the shape
of the tusk is the benevolent figure of Confucius, China’s
greatest sage, who believed in the moral order of the
universe and the natural goodness of humanity, and that
ignorance and conditioning are the cause of human degradation,
the remedy being education and cultivation of the five
virtues: benevolence, justice, propriety, wisdom and
sincerity. Confucius stands in his imperial trappings,
imperial hat and sword, his robe ornamented with clouds
and draped with jewels, his crossed hands holding a
book. In contrast to the generally low relief of the
figure, the face is marvelously realized in the round,
with chunky brows and flowing beard and moustache, the
smile revealing Confucius’ well-known gap between his
front teeth. The expression is kindly and the features
deeply and delicately cut.
