Lot 227: A carved cork landscape diorama, Chinese, 20th century

A Chinese cork carving diorama, or ruanmu hua, depicting a traditional shan shui landscape. The scene features a central multi-tiered pagoda with intricate lattice-work and upturned eaves, alongside a smaller pavilion, set amongst rugged rock formations. The landscape is populated with a variety of trees, including a prominent pine with fine comb-like needles and a weeping willow. The diorama is housed within a fan-shaped glass-fronted case with a black lacquer-finished wood frame. The entire assembly is mounted upon a conforming black finished wooden base, featuring openwork fretwork feet in a traditional scroll style. No maker’s marks or signatures are visible on the exterior of the case or base.