Antique Chinese Gilt Wood Carved Temple Bowl

19th-Century Chinese Gilt Wood Carved Temple Bowl – Imperial Drama in Relief

A masterwork of Qing-era craftsmanship, this richly gilt carved temple bowl captures the spirit of dynastic storytelling in extraordinary three-dimensional detail. Figures of warriors, scholars, and attendants unfold beneath tiered pagoda roofs, their gestures animated with the drama of an imperial procession. Each layer is carved from solid wood, then gilded in luminous gold leaf that still shimmers with centuries-old patina.

Originally created as part of a temple altar or ancestor shrine, the bowl embodies the harmony of devotion and artistry that defined 19th-century China. Today, it stands as a sculptural statement — a dialogue between history and design, equally at home atop a marble console or surrounded by modern minimalism.

Era: Late Qing Dynasty, circa 1850 – 1890  Origin: Southern China  Material: Hand-carved and gilt wood with red lacquer interior  Dimensions: Approx. 8.5 H × 11″ W

 Condition: Excellent antique condition with gentle wear to gilding; small areas of age-appropriate loss accentuate the depth and authenticity of the carving  Motif: Imperial procession or theatrical scene, with pagoda architecture, figures, and horses in high relief

Why We Love It:
The depth of carving rivals fine sculpture — every fold of a robe, every roof tile, every expressive face tells a story. Its gilded surface reflects candlelight like firelight in a temple — sacred, cinematic, and wildly decorative.