Chinese soapstone carvings

Soapstone is a soft rock, that has been carved by the Chinese for centuries, and is still being carved today. The name derives from the soap-like feel that some of the softer grades of soapstone have.

The softness of the rock is due to talc in its composition, and the amount of talc can vary from 80% (very soft) to about 30%. On the Mohs scale of hardness, soapstone has a hardness of 1 to 5, whereas jade has a hardness of 6 to 6.5. It is often possible to scratch a piece of soapstone with a fingernail or knife blade.

Because of continuing production over several centuries, it can be difficult to date soapstone carvings, and there are many that were made for the tourist market.

Soapstone carvings are generally not expensive and the quality of the carving and the size and colouring of the soapstone contribute more...

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A carved soapstone chilong seal, 20th century, the oval form…

A carved soapstone chilong seal, 20th century, the oval form seal surmounted by a reticulated chilong, engraved with script to one side and cut to the seal base, in brown and amber stone with opaque white Mottling. Height 5.5 cm, length 6.5 cm, width 4 cm

A large carved soapstone carp, 20th century, the Chinese…

A large carved soapstone carp, 20th century, the Chinese soapstone grass carp with open mouth and detailed dorsal fins and scales, in a variegated opaque stone of pale celadon and brown tone to suggest the body of a grass carp. Height 23 cm, width 60 cm

A Chinese soapstone seal, 20th century, the square seal…

A Chinese soapstone seal, 20th century, the square seal surmounted by a Buddhist lion and cubs, the stone in mottled brick red and amber tones, uncut. Height 14 cm

Soapstone carving of guanyin seated on a Buddhist lion. Very…

Soapstone carving of guanyin seated on a Buddhist lion. Very finely carved guanyin holding a vase and seated on a lion of fu. Height 21 cm. Provenance: Estates late Adolphe and Asra Alexander, a German-Thai couple involved with architecture, interior…

Chinese carved soapstone flower bowl, decorated with lotus…

Chinese carved soapstone flower bowl, decorated with lotus leaves and flowers, plus a small crab. 39 x 33m

A Chinese old soapstone seal, height 12.5 cm 3 x 3 cm

Chinese Soapstone Seal: Ancient Artifact of Cultural Significance

A Chinese old soapstone seal, height 12.5 cm 3 x 3 cm

Chinese soapstone carving on stand, in the form of a lidded…

Chinese soapstone carving on stand, in the form of a lidded vessel with cover surmounted by fo dog, flanked by pierced carvings of assorted creatures and two smaller vessels, in cream and muted red tones, height 24 cm, width 35 cm, above a good carved…