This piece titled 《钟馗醉酒图》—"Zhong Kui Drunk on Wine"—depicts the legendary exorcist deity Zhong Kui in a rare moment of leisure, sprawled across a wine jar under the moonlight. Carved from a smooth slab of Australian Nephrite Jade, the composition combines fine engraving and ink-wash style imagery, highlighting the contrast between the mythical figure’s fierce role and his human emotions.
Rendered in a poetic and humorous scene, Zhong Kui leans back in contented slumber, his iconic beard and attire detailed in line and texture, with a large wine vessel beneath his arm. The full moon above adds a layer of serenity, casting a quiet glow over the sleeping figure. The jade stone’s natural shape was preserved, with the black jade forming the dark mountainous backdrop and the lighter face used for the sketch-like figure.
This artwork pays tribute not only to traditional Chinese mythology, but also to Daoist ideals of embracing the balance between duty and desire, spirituality and indulgence.
Artist: Chen Xiaoyao from Zhenping, Henan, China
Estimated price for this piece by Chen Xiaoyao AUD$2,100 (RMB￥10,000)
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