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A set of Chinese Tangram puzzle, Late Qing dynasty the seven…
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Description:
A set of Chinese Tangram puzzle, Late Qing dynasty the seven pieces each carved and reticulated with designs of dragon, bat, or phoenix, configured in a square sliding box carved with figures against a background of garden landscapes on the top and the base, the four sides with dragons between two 'bamboo' bands, the two books, one of the puzzle and the other of the solution, carved with similar designs in the covers, 6.8 cm x 6.4 cm x 1.8 cm (box), 11.4 cm x 9 cm x 2 cm (books) (3). Provenance: Private collection NSW The Tangram, a dissection puzzle, was reputed to have been invented in China during the Song Dynasty, and then carried over to Europe by trading ships in the early 19th century. It became very popular in Europe for a time then, and then again during World War I. This ivory Tangram, judging from the carving, was likely to be made in Canton during the 19th century when it became one of the treaty ports and famous for exporting ivory works for the European market.
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Category:
Antiquities: Asian