Page 204 - Important Chinese Art Hong Kong April 2, 2019 Sotheby's

YANG YUXUAN’S EIGHTEEN IMMORTALS

SUPERNATURAL CARVING OF A MASTER
JULIAN KING

This extraordinary set of the eighteen luohan, superbly tributes or gifts. A tianhuang figure of Pindola in the Palace
carved in soapstone by Yang Yuxuan and other anonymous Museum, Beijing (fig. 1), illustrated in Zhongguo Wenwu
masters in the early Qing dynasty, appears to be unique. Qinghua Da Cidian. Jinyin yushi juan [Dictionary of selected
Preserved in exceptionally good condition, each of the Chinese relics: gold, silver, jade and stone], Shanghai, 1996,
eighteen figures is an outstanding work of art in itself, no. 241, is closely related to the signed figure of Pindola in
encapsulating the literati approach of artisans working with the current set. The treatment of the physiognomy, folded
this versatile and beautiful material. The figure of Pindola, robes, precise texture of the robes – all clearly stem from
arguably the finest quality of the set, is signed, but the others the same artistic tradition. Both share the same intricate
all share similar characteristics including the size of the approach to the treatment of the hair, which radiates out
carvings, texture of the stone, and precise approach to the skilfully from the centre, and other similarities including the
iconography of each of the luohan. similar expressions on the face of the luohan and the tiger,
and the precise posture of the tiger, depicted turning its
Yang Yuxuan, also known by the names Yang Ji, Xuan and
Yu Rei, was a native of Zhangpu, Fujian province, and worked head back and obediently gazing up to its master.
as a stone carver in the provincial capital of Fuzhou. His For another example of a signed work by Yang Yuxuan
work was praised by one of his contemporaries, the Fujian preserved in the Palace Museum, Beijing, see a soapstone
official Zhou Lianggong, as follows: ‘the excellence of his figure of Avalokiteshvara illustrated in Yang Boda, Zhongguo
knife work is equivalent to that done by supernatural beings’. Meishu Quanji. Diaosu Bian [The complete series on Chinese
A description found in the district gazette of the Jianpu area Art. Sculpture], Beijing, 1988, vol. 6: Yuan Ming Qing Diaosu
of the Kangxi period states that ‘Yang Yuxuan is a capable [Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties], p. 143, pl. 154, and, pp.
carver of Shoushan stone. All his figures, birds and animals 44-45, where the author points out that the manner in which
and his vessels are exquisite in the extreme. Collectors Yang Yuxuan carves the robes, and the cut of the knife itself,
compete to engage him.’ Yang’s repertoire included seal is exceptional, in that the cut is diagonal, as opposed to the
finials, figures, birds, animals and vessels. He is known for perpendicular style of most Qing carvers, resulting in a more
the delicate and intricate manner of carving and the carving powerful, realistic effect.
technique known as bo yi (intentionally thin) is said to have For other signed figures of luohan by Yang Yuxuan, see
been pioneered by him. The bo yi is a light surface carving the soapstone carving of a luohan figure by Yang Yuxuan,
where the artists cut the stone into blocks and only lightly
carve the surface of the stone in order to preserve as much originally in the Spencer Churchill collection, Northwick
of the original material as possible. Although the carving Park, included in the Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong
exhibition Arts from the Scholar’s Studio, Fung Ping Shan
remains ‘skin-deep’, the design can be very elaborate. Yang Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1986, cat. no.
Yuxuan was a prolific carver but only a very small number of
his works are signed. Traditionally, while literary artists, such 45 (fig. 2) , where the treatment of the mark on the reverse
as poets, writers and calligraphers, were highly venerated precisely matches that on the figure of Pindola in the current
set. See also a soapstone figure of Vajraputra from the Mi
and were expected to sign their work, craftsmen such as Yun Hall collection sold in these rooms, 2nd April 2016, lot
Yang would generally not have carved their signature on a
piece unless it was of particular importance. 3686, a luohan from the Conner Prairie Museum, Indiana,
sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 25th May 2011, lot 366 and
Examples of Yang Yuxuan’s signed works are preserved in another luohan from the Q collection, sold at Bonhams Hong
the Palace Museum, Beijing, suggesting that he was either Kong, 25th May 2011, lot 273. Compare also a tianhuang
given specific commissions by the Court, or that his works figure of a lion by Yang Yuxuan from the collection of Wu Pu
came to the attention of the Imperial family, either through Xin, sold in these rooms, 7th October 2006, lot 916.