Page 164 - Fine Chinese Works of Art Bonhams Hong Kong May 2018

The monk Budai is considered to be an incarnation of the Bodhisattva 北京故宮博物院藏一件晚明犀角雕布袋佛，與本器類似，見《故宮博
Maitreya, the Buddha predicted to succeed Gautama Buddha in the 物院藏文物珍品全集：竹木牙角雕刻》，上海，2001年，編號138。
future. He is typically depicted with a jovial expression and wearing 另參考一例，收錄於霍滿棠，《中國犀角雕刻珍賞》，香港，1999
loose fitting robes to reveal his large belly representing contentment 年，頁116，編號68。更多近似例可參見J.Chapman，《The Art of
and abundance. Budai is associated with the protection of children Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China》，香港，1999年，編號325及327。
and is often shown with boys playfully climbing on his belly or back.
香港蘇富比曾售出一例可資比較，為十七世紀，2014年4月8日，拍
A similar rhinoceros horn carving of Budai, late Ming dynasty, is 品編號3022；亦見香港佳士得售一例，2008年5月27日，拍品編號
illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace 1727。
Museum: Bamboo, Wood, Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Carvings,
Shanghai, 2001, no.138. Another similar but smaller rhinoceros horn
carving of Budai and children, 17th century, is illustrated by T.Fok,
Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong,
1999, p.116, no.68. Further related rhinoceros horn carvings of Budai
are also illustrated by J.Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving
in China, Hong Kong, 1999, nos.325 and 327.

Compare with a related rhinoceros horn carving of Budai, 17th century,
which was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 8 April 2014, lot 3022; and
see also another example, which was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 27
May 2008, lot 1727.

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