It is uncertain how this antique carved walnut or ‘hediao’ made its way from China to Italy, but it is a beautiful example of Chinese wood carving and their attention to great detail. This one walnut has many faces and figures carefully carved into it. ‘Hediao’ is an ancient art form, dating back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and is still popular today. It requires delicate carving skills on small fruit stones or walnuts and is termed as an “uncanny work of art” by the people of China. Maybe that’s why the Chinese shipped them out of the country.