This figure is a root sculpture unearthed in a tomb in Central China's Hubei Province, dating back to the Warring States Period (475-221 BC). It's now on display in Jingzhou Museum in Hubei. The figure is 69.5 cm long and 40.5 cm tall, and is named "Bi Xie," which literally means, "driving away evils." It has a bizarre shape, with a tiger-like head and a dragon -like body, exuding a sense of grotesque beauty.

History of root sculpture in China

"Bi Xie" is considered the earliest of its kind in China. Records on root sculptures are available in historical documents and even paintings. It is clear that during the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD) tree roots had been sculpted into various articles and tools for daily use. There are root-made chairs, stools, and beds in a painting produced in the late 10th century. Root-made furniture enjoyed ever-increasing popularity in the following dynasties, and men of letters at that time took it as fashionable to decorate studies with root sculptures. Even in the modern world, featuring high-rises built with steel and cement, root sculptures never fall out of favor with artists and curio dealers.

What makes root sculptures so fascinating?

Root sculptures are a joint work of man and nature. Artists are required to make as few adaptations as possible to their plant root art works so as to preserve their natural beauty and form, yet create striking works of art.