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Huang Zhenxiao
Guangzhou ivory carver summoned to the Qianlong court in 1737 to work in the imperial workshops on miniature ivories
A craft workshop centres on a potter's wheel holding a tall celadon vase, amid racks of red lacquer boxes, an embroidery frame with a floral design, shelves of celadon ware, carved wooden panels and stacked logs, while one craftsman works at a table and another stands at a glowing kiln.
Also known as Signed 'Xiaochen Huang Zhenxiao gongzhi'
- Roles
- Master Craftsmen
Huang Zhenxiao was an ivory carver from Guangdong, known for fine miniature work, who was recommended by a local official and summoned to the palace. At the end of 1737 he entered the Ruyi Studio and carved ivory for the imperial workshops, with leave to move about the inner court, his monthly pay rising from three taels of silver to eight by 1739. He specialised in small pieces such as brush holders, wrist rests and pierced flower holders, many of them signed. The Palace Museum in Beijing holds his pierced ivory boat inscribed as respectfully made by 'your humble servant Huang Zhenxiao' in the second month of 1738, and an ivory brush holder with fishermen at leisure.
Life and times
Dates Dates unknown; served in the imperial workshops from 1737