Page 166 - Bonhams May 16, 2019 London Asian Art

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A LARGE AND RARE GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF
WENCHANG WANG
Late Ming Dynasty
The impressive figure well cast, seated with hands clasped holding a
hu tablet before his chest, the long robes draped in elegant folds and
decorated with striding dragons at the hems, the bearded face with
a pensive expression flanked by pendulous ears and long strands of
black hair, the tall headdress decorated with a three-peaked mountain
emerging from crashing waves and flanked by the sun and the moon
characters issuing from wispy clouds, stand.
58cm (22 7/8in) high. (2).

£80,000 - 120,000
CNY700,000 - 1,100,000

明晚期 銅鎏金文昌坐像

Displaying a remarkable level of refinement, noted in the upturned
slippers and the intricate designs decorating the hems of the
voluminuous robes cascading in multiple folds, the figure may
be identified as Wenchang Wang, the Daoist God of Culture and
Literature. Believed to have assisted devotees in achieving success in
the civil service examinations, Wenchang facilitated the path toward
social acceptance and material rewards. Represented as an earthly
minister, the deity occupies a pre-eminent position within the Daoist
pantheon, as suggested by his high crown, decorated with the cosmic
diagram, the ruyi-toed slippers and the dragon designs decorating
the hems of his robes, all elements characterising the court outfit
worn by high-ranking Daoist deities from the Song through to the
Ming dynasties. See for example the Seven Star-Gods of the Central
Dipper depicted in a painting titled ‘Lords of the Root Destiny Stars of
the Northern and Central Dippers,’ dated 1454, illustrated by S.Little,
Daoism and the Arts of China, Chicago, 2000, p.248, no.768.

Compare with a similar but larger gilt-lacquered bronze figure of
Wenchang, 16th/17th century, which was sold at Sotheby’s Paris,
15 December 2016, lot 144; another larger gilt-bronze example,
16th/17th century, sold at Sotheby’s New York, 27th March 2003,
lot 15.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
164 | BONHAMS please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.