---
title: "Chinese Carved Nephrite Jade Figure of Shoulao, 20th Century | Curiosa.com"
description: "A small hand-carved toggle or miniature figure depicting Shoulao, the Star God of Longevity. The figure is carved from a pale celadon to off-white nephrite j..."
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# Chinese Carved Nephrite Jade Figure of Shoulao, 20th Century

![Small pale green Chinese jade carving of an old man with a large forehead holding a staff and peach. - view 1](https://smpgbcsonkmwzognzosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/curiosity-images/f5f9a8b5-634b-4660-9bed-0131ded5fb13/1-1773913493190.jpg)

1/3

![Chinese Carved Nephrite Jade Figure of Shoulao, 20th Century - view 1](https://smpgbcsonkmwzognzosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/curiosity-images/f5f9a8b5-634b-4660-9bed-0131ded5fb13/1-1773913493190.jpg?width=200&quality=75)

![Chinese Carved Nephrite Jade Figure of Shoulao, 20th Century - view 2](https://smpgbcsonkmwzognzosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/curiosity-images/f5f9a8b5-634b-4660-9bed-0131ded5fb13/2-1773913493191.jpg?width=200&quality=75)

![Chinese Carved Nephrite Jade Figure of Shoulao, 20th Century - view 3](https://smpgbcsonkmwzognzosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/curiosity-images/f5f9a8b5-634b-4660-9bed-0131ded5fb13/3-1773913493191.jpg?width=200&quality=75)

Estimated value

$125 - $350 

Rarity

Average(4/10) 

Category

[Asian Art](/archive/asian)

Era

Circa 1920-1970 

Origin

🇨🇳 China 

Authenticity

High (75%) 

30 

## CHINESE CARVED NEPHRITE JADE FIGURE OF SHOULAO, 20TH CENTURY: IDENTIFICATION

A small hand-carved toggle or miniature figure depicting Shoulao, the Star God of Longevity. The figure is carved from a pale celadon to off-white nephrite jade, featuring the characteristic high domed cranium and holding a staff with a hanging gourd and a peach of immortality in his left hand. The carving style is simplified, common in early to mid-20th-century secular gift items.

Compare with other Asian art pieces in the archive: [Chinese Archaistic Carved Jade Figure, Hongshan/Shang Style](https://curiosa.com/archive/asian/archaistic-chinese-style-carved-hardstone-figure),  [Balinese Art Deco Wooden Sculpture of a Winged Celestial (Kinnari)](https://curiosa.com/archive/asian/balinese-art-deco-winged-celestial-figure),  [Chinese Archaistic 'Taotie' and 'Chilong' Jade Pendant](https://curiosa.com/archive/asian/chinese-archaistic-hardstone-pendant). 

## CROSS-CULTURAL PARALLELS

### Where This Object Echoes

Japanese Edo to Meiji 

Shoulao is known as Jurōjin in Japan, one of the Seven Lucky Gods, often depicted with a deer.

### Ritual & Ceremonial Use

-   • Birthday gifting rituals where symbols of longevity are presented to elders to wish them continued health. 

### Meaning Through Time

Ming/Qing Dynasty 

Primarily a religious and Daoist symbol of cosmic balance and immortal achievement.

20th Century 

A secularized symbol of good luck, health, and cultural heritage, often used as decorative 'knick-knacks'.

## DYNASTY & PROVENANCE

Shoulao is one of the Sanxing (Three Stars), representing Longevity alongside Lu (Prosperity) and Fu (Fortune). This specific carving style and material type suggest production between 1920 and 1970, a period when small jade toggles were mass-produced in workshops in Canton and Suzhou for domestic and export markets.

## SCARCITY

Average 55-70% 

Common Legendary 

Typical antique shop fare. Requires some searching but regularly available. This is where most genuine antiques fall.

Rarity 4/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 33 asian items at rarity 4 or higher.

### Typical Characteristics

-   Standard antique shop items
-   Regularly available
-   Moderate collector interest

### AUTHENTICITY CONFIDENCE

High (75% confidence) 

#### Confidence Factors

-   The material appears to be genuine nephrite rather than soapstone or serpentine due to the specific waxy luster and fracture pattern
-   Carving depth and tool marks are consistent with 20th-century hand-finishing techniques
-   Internal fractures (mutton-fat texture) are consistent with natural untreated jade

[How does authenticity detection work?](/fake-art-detection)

## ASIAN ART SCHOLAR'S TAKE

Asian Art Specialist

East Asian Art Expert

The material characteristics and iconography are highly consistent with 20th-century Chinese nephrite carvings, though the lack of a clear macro shot of the base prevents a 'legendary' confidence score.

### KEY EVIDENCE

-   1 Waxy 'mutton fat' luster identifies the stone as nephrite rather than modern resin or jadeite. 
-   2 The presence of a peaches and a gourd are standard iconographic markers for Shoulao. 
-   3 Internal fracture lines (veins) visible in the third image are natural inclusions often found in Khotan-style nephrite. 
-   4 Simplified drapery folds and facial features align with 20th-century workshop production styles. 

### UNCERTAINTIES

-   • Surface white spots may indicate 'bruising' where the stone was struck, which can lower value in high-end jade circles. 
-   • Blurry focal points in images prevent confirmation of microscopic tool marks. 

### WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

-   → Perform a simple scratch test on the base with a steel knife; nephrite will generally resist scratching, while soapstone will scar easily. 
-   → Provide a high-resolution close-up of the underside (base) to check for wire-saw marks or hand-polishing streaks. 
-   → Examine under UV light; most natural nephrite is inert, while some modern resins used to fill cracks will fluoresce. 

COLLECTOR GLOSSARY (3 terms) 

## CONDITION & GRADE

### Grading breakdown

Condition is typical for a mid-tier 20th-century jade carving; the presence of small bruises (white star-shaped marks) on the base indicates its history as a handled object.

### Condition

Small impact fractures or 'white spots' are visible on the base and protruding edges, likely from being carried or stored loosely. Several minor fleabite chips are present on the staff and peach motifs.

## ASIAN ART VALUATION

$125 - $350

Updated: May 10, 2026

How we estimate value 

### Who buys this

General Asian art collectors and individuals seeking auspicious gifts/symbols for health and longevity.

### What increases value

-   • Translucency of the stone under light 
-   • Completeness of the iconography (staff, gourd, and peach all present) 
-   • Uniformity of the pale celadon color 

### What lowers value

-   • Surface bruising/white impact marks on the cranium and base 
-   • Evidence of modern mechanical Dremel-tooling marks if found on closer inspection 

### What makes top-tier examples

-   • Exceptional 'pure white' color without gray or green tints 
-   • Intricate undercut carving where the staff is completely detached from the body 

### Grade & condition

Material purity, carving complexity, and absence of surface 'bruising' or chips.

### Rarity & demand

Average Moderate demand Sells quickly 

[Browse similar asian objects](/archive/asian)

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

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