{"product_id":"chinese-doctors-lady-style-reclining-sculpture","title":"Monumental Chinese Reclining Lady Sculpture on Hardwood Pedestal | Doctor’s Lady–Type | Circa Mid-20th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e China\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carved ivory-toned natural material with dark hardwood display pedestal; exact material and species unverified\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mid-20th century, circa 1930–1970\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis monumental Chinese reclining female figure is an unusually large decorative interpretation of the sculptural form traditionally known as a doctor's lady or diagnostic figure, dating to approximately the mid-20th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe nude figure reclines gracefully with one arm raised behind her head and the opposite hand held delicately near her face. She rests against a fitted carved pillow while her elongated legs extend across the accompanying dark hardwood pedestal. Her elegant pose is enhanced by a carved beaded necklace, bracelets, pointed footwear, carefully delineated hair, delicate facial features, and dark inset or painted eyes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe figure is carved from a creamy ivory-toned natural material displaying subtle grain, warm age-related coloration, and areas of yellow-brown patination. Its exact composition and animal species have not been scientifically verified and should therefore be professionally tested before being identified definitively as ivory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sculpture rests upon a substantial custom-carved hardwood pedestal with a raised rectangular platform, moulded borders, scrolling feet, and fitted supports for the figure's head and body. The deep reddish-brown wood provides a striking visual contrast with the pale carving.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Monumental reclining Chinese female figure\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Traditionally inspired by the doctor's lady sculptural form\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Elegant reclining pose with one arm supporting the head\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Carved beaded necklace and bracelets\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Delicately modeled facial features with dark eyes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Finely incised and textured hair\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Elongated legs with pointed footwear\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Warm ivory-toned surface with natural grain and patination\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Removable figure with custom-fitted hardwood pedestal\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Substantial decorative scale measuring approximately 24 inches long\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReclining female figures of this general type have traditionally been identified as Chinese doctor's ladies or diagnostic dolls. According to the familiar interpretation, female patients could indicate the location of an illness on a model rather than expose their bodies during consultation with a male physician.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModern scholarship has increasingly questioned this explanation, and many historians now believe that numerous reclining female figures were created primarily as decorative, erotic, or export-market objects rather than functional medical instruments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt approximately 24 inches long, this example is considerably larger than the small handheld figures commonly associated with the diagnostic tradition. Its monumental proportions, elaborate jewellery, polished presentation, and substantial custom pedestal strongly suggest that it was created as an impressive decorative sculpture inspired by the traditional doctor's lady form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVintage condition with extensive age-related cracking, separation lines, surface wear, discoloration, scratches, abrasions, and minor losses throughout. Pronounced cracks and possible old joins or repairs are visible across the pelvic area, upper legs, and along portions of the elongated lower limbs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe raised hand and the small object or attribute originally held between the fingers appear incomplete, with visible losses to several fingers or projecting elements. Additional minor chips, age lines, areas of yellow-brown patination, and natural surface irregularities are present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe underside displays several circular plugs or filled areas, staining, old restoration, and evidence of the sculpture's assembled construction. The hardwood pedestal exhibits scratches, scuffs, small holes, worn finish, edge wear, and localized areas of surface loss. Despite these condition issues, the sculpture remains highly decorative and displays impressively upon its fitted pedestal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLength: 24 in\u003cbr\u003eWidth: 6.25 in\u003cbr\u003eHeight: 7.5 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e55–95 years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormerly held in the private estate collection of a lifelong antique collector in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLearn about a related Chinese reclining diagnostic figure preserved by the \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk\/objects\/co123147\/ivory-figure-of-a-woman-reclining-on-upholstered-wooden-couch\" title=\"Chinese Reclining Female Diagnostic Figure – Science Museum Group\"\u003eScience Museum Group\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/ancient-chinese-artifacts-imperial-relics\" title=\"Ancient Chinese Artifacts and Imperial Relics – Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003eAncient Chinese Artifacts \u0026amp; Imperial Relics Collection\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55993807307074,"sku":null,"price":2500.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/First_photo_design_-_2026-08-27T063456.206.png?v=1787826928","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/es\/products\/chinese-doctors-lady-style-reclining-sculpture","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}