Mural of Cuju-playing

Cuju was an ancient Chinese sport of kicking a ball, seen as the earliest form of football. Historical recordings indicate that cuju was a popular folk game as early as the Warring States period (453 or 403 -221 BC) of China. This piece presents a joyful cuju-playing scene of five players in various postures, with two standing maids, one on each side, and a screen wall decorated with patterns of waves and curly dragons in the background. Featuring a composition filled with elements in a nicely-crowded way, this piece of artwork is a testimony to the artisan’s ingenious carving techniques.