This stunning and intricately sculpted work of art is a mere 3.4 cm (1.34 inches) in length and 1.6 cm (0.63 inches) tall. It was carved from an olive pit in 1737 and has remained perfectly preserved to this day. It’s called the Carved Olive-Stone Boat, and it was crafted by an artist known as Ch’en Tsu-chang, during China’s Ch’ing dynasty.
The sculpture is on display at the National Palace Museum in Taipei City, Taiwan. On the tiny boat are eight figures, each with unique expressions. The interior features chairs and dishes, and the windows are also moveable.
If the intricacy of the sculpture itself wasn’t impressive enough, on the bottom of the boat the entire text of Su Shih’s Latter Ode on the Red Cliff can be found engraved, which includes more than 300 characters.
Not much is known about Ch’en Tsu-chang, but one thing is for certain, he was an incredible artist.
The boat’s windows can actually be moved in an open and closed position.
