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I purchased this at a flea market and know nothing whatever about its age, material or provenance. It is 22 inches tall, 11 inches in width at its widest point and weighs more than 50 lbs. Both sides are identical. The phoenix with its base is removable, revealing a cavity 7 inches deep. The stand is of rosewood elaborately decorated with brass wire work. I wonder if it is a vase or would have had some other function. Thanks for looking at this.

Decorative modern Serpentine carving, Chinese.
Hope this helps
Ernest

Hard to tell what you have with this one photo. The carpet has no boarder against the wall, the wall has no corner, the blue floorboard does not seem to fit into the whole picture, need close ups of tool marks, the bottom and cavity. Most important would be a coke can next to the two foot tall vase. Without something to judge dimensions of the carving and close ups, its hard to tell what you got. From the size? are there any erotic scenes carved into the top rim?

I hope these new photos help. Thanks so much for looking at this. I didn't have a can of Coke, but the vegetable can is 4 1/2 inches high. Happy to send more photos, if need be.

This is a serpentine carving and tool marks are modern, early to mid 20th century. Thinking ornamental for a business; have seen thousands of stone vases and urns but never one of that size. Shockingly large carving and very nicely carved. Very nice art sculpture. Jade objects came to represent the status of the holder due to the expense and authority needed to command the resources and labour in creating the object. The size of this item shows status. Serpentine is native to China and Korea. This is probably why many objects made in China are made from this rather than imported Jade. New Jade or Serpentine Jade is basically anything that might pass for Jade...but isn't. As far as stones go, it has a relatively lower value then imported nephrite; but as a sculptured piece of art it shows high status. Nice item, thanks for showing.

Additional photos are attached.

Thank you so very much for your extremely helpful response regarding the Chinese carved urn. Great to learn your positive comments. I knew it could not be true jade, so after research I had decided it might well be serpentine; good to have that confirmed. Especially puzzled by its great size, I was really fascinated to see what you had to say about that.

If I should ever decide to sell it I wonder where I would be most likely to find interest and appreciation for such a piece.

Again, thanks for your interest and knowledge.
Donna

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