A PAINTED CARVING OF A FIGURE OF A LADY MOUNTED AS A LAMPFirst half of the 20th century32 cm highThe figure on a round base, dressed with a long tunic, the right shoulder and the breast uncovered, a wine cup in the right hand, the oval face perfectly made-up, the hair arranged in a high chignon, the lobes enriched by jewels, the figure standing near a painted metal street lamp with ivory globular finial minutely painted with figures and a cow amidst clouds, the whole sculpture on a red lacquered base elegantly carved with floral scrolls, four characters Jing Yeqi zhi signature on the back of the figure.Provenance: Acquired before 1975.The outstanding quality of this sculpture, for the carving as well as for the painting, is not a common feature for Chinese ivory of the 20th century. The presence of the signature is a further proof of the high level reached by the artist in realising this unique piece.