Page 274 - Important Chinese Art Hong Kong April 2, 2019 Sotheby's

3682

AN IVORY FIGURE OF BODHIDHARMA 清康熙 象牙雕達摩立像
QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD

the deity standing barefoot on a bed of swirling waves, his
hands held within the long sleeves of his flowing garment
opening at his chest, the determined face turned gently to
one side, framed by facial hair arranged in tight curls, the
reverse with a two-character seal reading Hongyi, fitted
wood stand
figure 29 cm, 11½ in.
◉ HK$ 700,000-900,000
US$ 89,500-115,000

The pale, translucent colour of Dehua ware may have its For a related ivory figure of Damo standing on a base of
roots in ivory and the potters’ desire to emulate its colour swirling waves, but lacking the serene sense of movement
and texture. From the late 16th century onwards the ivory and volume of the present example, compare one sold in our
figure carving industry grew in Fujian province, stimulated London rooms, 29th June 1976, lot 20. Further ivory carvings
by outside influences and a sympathetic economic climate. of Damo, also worked in a naturalistic manner but lacking the
For approximately the 1st century it remained a local stylised waves base; see two slightly smaller examples in the
phenomenon before spreading out to other centres during Sassoon Collection illustrated in The Catalogue of Sassoon
the Qing dynasty. For a discussion on the relationship Chinese Ivories, vol. 1, London, 1950, pl. 192, depicting
between ivory and Dehua porcelain, see Robert H. Damo carrying a half-moon spade and his shoes, and pl.
Blumenfield, Blanc De Chine. The Great Porcelain of Dehua, 193, carved with comparable curled moustache and beard.
Berkeley, 2002, p. 105. Compare also a Damo figure holding a scroll in his left hand,
sold in our London rooms, 7th December 1993, lot 47.
The present figure is an example of the dexterity of Qing
period carvers. The finely detailed curled locks of hair, the Bodhidharma, known as Damo, is one of the most
rhythmic fluidity of the folds of the robes and the swirling important Buddhist figures who was born in southern India
lines of the crashing waves capture an elegance more before travelling to China upon invitation in 520. After
commonly associated with Dehua figures, such as the one disagreements with the Emperor Wu of Liang (464-549),
illustrated in The Complete Works of Chinese Ceramics, vol. he ventured away, crossed the Yangzi River on a reed and
13, pt. II, Shanghai, 2000, pl. 176. eventually arrived at Mount Shaoshi, where he sat cross-
legged in a cave for nine years. During this time he acquired
a disciple Hui Ke, through whom the teachings of the
meditative Chan School of Buddhism was spread.

Mark

272 SOTHEBY ’S IMPORTANT CHINESE ART