Page 36 - Bonhams Sept 2016 CHINESE WORKS OF ART AND PAINTINGS

8045 8045
A SMALL CERAMIC PILLOW
8046 Late Tang/Early Song dynasty
34 | BONHAMS The pillow of ovoid section, reminiscent of a bean, rising on slightly
flaring walls to a rounded lip enclosing an angled and curved upper
surface, formed from marbleized clay of contrasting reddish and dark
browns, covered in an attractive light green glaze, the marbled pattern
very similar in appearance to the web of a spider.
5 1/2in (14cm) wide

US$1,000 - 1,500

晚唐或宋 攪胎弦紋枕

The use of marbleized clay in ceramics became widespread in the
Tang dynasty. This form of pillow is most common to the Song period.
A pillow of similar shape was sold at Bonhams San Francisco, 15
November 2011, sale 19413, lot 3314. A pillow of similar marble
decoration and green glaze was sold at Christie’s New York, 15
September 2009, sale 2196, lot 314.

8046
A LONGQUAN FIGURE OF GUANYIN
Yuan/Early Ming dynasty
The deity seated in dhyanasana on a fabric-draped rocky outcrop,
attended by a small acolyte, and flanked by a bottle and a bird, the
body swathed in flowing robes and pendant jewels, the head crowned
by a very elaborate headdress centered on a Buddha figure, the face
with a benevolent expression and low, hooded eyes, the glaze of
attractive light blue-green hue, the face, hands and chest left unglazed.
9in (22.9cm) high

US$4,000 - 6,000

元或明早期 龍泉青釉觀音坐像

Longquan figures depicting deities, decorated with delicately carved
elements left unglazed for visual interest, are a particular feature
of the Yuan and early Ming dynasties. Often, ceramics of this type
feature a small deity figure surrounded by an elaborate shrine, but a
similar work, depicting a seated Guanyin, was sold at Bonhams San
Francisco, 20 December 2011, sale 19433, lot 8275. A very closely
related figure, with nearly identical face, headdress and robes, but
seated on a throne born by an elephant, was sold at Sotheby’s New
York, 16 September 2014, sale 9192, lot 144. See also a very similar
bodhisattva figure on a pachyderm from the E.T. Chow collection, sold
at Sotheby’s London, 16 December 1980, lot 327.