Female Figure with Crane and Squirrel

In the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), luxury items became more affordable to larger parts of the society, including women, merchants, and literati in non-official positions. Imperial patronage and a growing urban population encouraged consumption of luxury goods and local craftmanship. This ivory form of a woman with a crane illustrates the superb skills and the creative mind of the talented artisan who sought clients on a competitive market.