Page 106 - Bonhams Chinese Works of Art December 2014
P. 106
PROPERTY FROM THE XANADU PROPERTY FROM ANOTHER OWNER 2353
GALLERY, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA A BRONZE FIGURAL GROUP OF
2349 SAKYAMUNI AND ATTENDANTS
2346 A BRONZE HEAD OF A FEMALE DEITY Ming dynasty
A CAST BRONZE BELL Late Qing/Republic period The central figure depicted seated in
19th century Her elaborate coiffure tied with ribbons that meditation with his right hand raised in
Its suspension loop formed as two opposing connects a flame-shaped finial at the front abhaya mudra, the lotus flower beneath him
phoenixes arching above a lotus petal band, with the trailing veil at the back of the head rising from an elaborate stepped plinth fronted
the elongated body divided by rope-patterned (minor casting flaws); the gourds carved in with two miniature seated figures while the
borders around two reserve panels of tree raised relief on the hexagonal wood base arhats Kasyapa and Ananda stand on lotus
peony plants in flower. suggesting that she may be a Daoist, rather stems issuing from its side walls (casting
12 1/4in (31cm) high than a Buddhist, divinity. flaws, surface soiling).
10 5/8 pounds (4.9kg) 9 1/4in (23.5cm) height of bronze head 10in (25.4cm) high
$1,000 - 1,500 19in (48.2cm) height including wood stand $4,000 - 6,000
$1,000 - 1,500
PROPERTY FROM A PACIFIC 2354
NORTHWEST GENTLEMAN BY DESCENT PROPERTY FROM THE XANADU A BRONZE FIGURE OF AMITAYUS
GALLERY, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA Late Qing dynasty
2347 Wearing a crown and princely jewelry as he
A TANG STYLE CAST BRONZE FIGURE 2350 sits in meditation on a double lotus plinth,
OF A BODHISATTVA A BRONZE SEATED FIGURE the vase and the trailing ends of his shoulder
Late Qing/Republic period OF SAKYAMUNI scarf each separately cast and applied, the
Surmounted by an elaborate and tall ovoid 19th century surface showing traces of gilt wash (repaired,
mandorla, the figure attired in princely Seated in meditation on a double- base resealed).
raiment and seated in the asymmetrical lotus support, his right hand lowered in 6 1/4in (16cm) high
lalitasana posture of royal ease upon a lotus bhumisparsa mudra, his outer garment $1,000 - 2,000
petal throne further raised upon a tapered bordered with flowers and leaves on a
rectangular plinth, the sides and back of pounced ground (base unsealed). 2355
which bear a likely apocryphal lengthy 9 7/8in (25cm) high A CAST BRONZE BUDDHA
donor’s inscription. $1,000 - 1,500 Depicting the Sakyamuni Buddha seated
6 1/4in (16cm) high on an elaborate lotus plinth attired in monks
$1,000 - 1,500 2351 robes adorned in simple geometric patterns,
A BRONZE SEATED FIGURE OF ZHENWU his right hand held in bhumisparsamudra
The likely apocryphal inscription reads in part: 17th century while his left hand makes an unusual mudra
Chengguang Yuan nian wu yue shiwu ri Fo The Daoist divinity identified by his long hair on his lap (casting flaws).
dizi Zhang Sheng(?) wei fumu jing zao, [qi and the snake coiled around a tortoise on the 9 1/4in (23.5cm) high
yuan yi qie?] zhongsheng jian tong si fu base that supports him, the surfaces showing $1,000 - 1,500
remains of gilt lacquer on the face and within
In the first year of the Fifteenth day of the Fifth the folds of the dark red lacquered robe 2356
month of the first year of the Chengguan era (surface wear). A SET OF SMALL CAST BRONZE
[of the Northern Qi dynasty-- equivalent to 11 1/4in (28.5cm) high FIGURES OF THE EIGHTEEN LUOHAN
577CE], the Buddhist disciple Zhang Sheng $1,000 - 1,500 Each in monks’ attire and grimacing or
respectfully had this image made for his grinning in an individualized expression, in
parents, and that [...] all living creatures may PROPERTY FROM VARIOUS OWNERS some cases holding identifying implements
share in these blessings. or seated upon small plinths or animal
2352 mounts, the exteriors displaying a chocolate
PROPERTY FROM THE EMMANUEL TWO GILT-ACCENTED BRONZE DAOIST colored patina.
GRAN FAMILY COLLECTION FEMALE DIVINITIES 3 3/4in (9.5cm) height of tallest
Ming Dynasty $1,000 - 1,500
2348 Depicting Bixia yuanjun (Sovereign of the Clouds
A BRONZE FIGURE OF SHOULAO WITH of Dawn), identified by the three phoenixes
APPLIED GILT ACCENTS in her crown and the rank stick held in her
17th century hand, as well as Zisun niangniang (Goddess of
The figure originally the cover to a censer Childbirth), dressed in similar crown and holding
that may have been in the form of a deer, the a baby, their faces each highlighted in gilt and
holes at the back of his head and torso meant their elaborate dress showing traces of gilt
for emission of smoke, the surfaces of his lacquer (losses, original stands lost).
clothing showing remains of gilt wash; now 14 1/2 and 14 1/2in (37 and 36.1cm) high
supported in a fitted wood stand. $2,000 - 4,000
7 1/2in (19cm) high
$1,500 - 2,500 For another example in bronze of Bixia
yuanjun, as well as a discussion of her various
attendants and her historical significance, see
Stephen Little, Taoism and the Arts of China,
2000, pp. 278-279 and cat. no. 95.
104 | BONHAMS
