Late-Qing-to-Republican-China Ivory Nesting Ball with Engraved Dragon Patterns

This multi-layer ivory nesting ball consists a set of balls of equal thickness but decreasing sizes placed one within another. These balls, all of which can rotate freely, are decorated with geometric openwork carved patterns, except for the outermost layer which is embellished with relief-style dragon motifs. The ivory base, which is in conformity with the ball in terms of both form and color, features the God of Longevity in Chinese mythology, namely, an old man with a peach, symbol of longevity in the Chinese culture, in the palm of his one hand and a walking stick held by his other hand.