Page 69 - 2021 March 18 to 19th, Important Chinese Works of Art, Christie's New York City

For a related bronze figural support dating to the Han dynasty, see the and protective and usually seen as auspicious. Two related creatures
example cast as a foreigner with outstretched arms seated on a chimera are illustrated by A. Juliano and J. Lerner in the catalogue for the
sold at Christie’s New York, 24 March 2011, lot 1261. The foreigner holds exhibition, Monks and Merchants; Silk Road Treasures from Northwest
in his right hand a tubular support that likely would have supported a China, Asia Society, New York, 2001, pp. 44-5, no. 6, a painted wood
detachable shallow receptacle such as those held by the present figure. figure dated to the Han dynasty from Mocuizi, Wuwei, Gansu province,
and no. 7, a bronze figure dated to the Wei/Jin dynasties (AD 220-317)
The powerfully rendered single-horned mythical beast is emblematic from Xiaheqing, Jiuquan, Gansu province. Both depict a single-horned
of the Han dynasty interest in a spirit world populated by fantastic creature standing with head lowered as if to charge.
creatures. Such mythological creatures were seen as both powerful