Chinese Candle Holder with Cat Motif

A dark round dish with small beasts crawling around its lip.

This carved wood candle holder with cat motif is from China, and dates to the 19th century. Carved wood has been used in China for furniture, screens and household objects, with softwood and hardwood alike worked by hand into relief and openwork designs. A shallow, rounded cup in glossy reddish-brown with a thick rim. Several small animal forms with curled tails and limbs creep along the edge, and the carved bodies have worn, polished highlights. It is 3 inches wide, 2.5 deep and 1.25 high.

Tiny creatures making themselves entirely at home.