Style: Concentric "Mystery Ball" / Devil's Work Sphere
Origin: China (Guangzhou/Canton tradition)
Overview: Hand-carved openwork sphere featuring intertwined dragons amid clouds and foliate scrollwork, with multiple concentric inner spheres visible through pierced apertures. Deep spinach-green stone with natural variegation and polished surface.
Specifications: 4" diameter. Carved nephrite or serpentine jade with freely rotating inner layers.
Condition: Very good. Carving crisp and intact; no visible chips or fractures. Light surface wear consistent with age.
Historical Significance: Concentric puzzle balls trace to the Song dynasty, perfected in 19th-century Canton workshops as feats of virtuoso carving. Each inner sphere is liberated from a single block through one aperture—symbolizing skill, longevity, and good fortune.
