Page 83 - Bonhams asian Art Knightsbridge May 2018

216 Y Ф
A RARE GILT-LACQUERED IVORY
FIGURE OF A SCHOLAR
17th century
The figure modelled wearing a long robe with
oversized sleeves, with one hand resting
on the belt, the serene face with a square
scholar’s hat, the chest and back with
remains of a rank badge, the belt, collar and
hat with traces of gilt lacquer or undercoat,
wood stand 16.8cm (6 5/8in) high

£15,000 - 18,000
CNY130,000 - 160,000
HK$160,000 - 200,000
Wenchang Wen, 文昌王 or 文昌帝君, is the
Daoist god of Culture and Literature and is
traditionally venerated by scholars preparing
for an exam.

The origin stories of Wenchang are diverse;
one tale names him as the war hero Zhang
Yazi who died during the rebellion against
Emperor Fu Jian in 374. Another story
from the Book of Emperor Zi Tong paints
him as a filial child: “Wenchang was had a
mature mind at birth. His mother breastfed
him even though she was perilously ill and
malnourished. In the middle of the night,
Wenchang cut flesh from his own thighs and
fed it to his mother. She was then cured of her
illness.”

Wenchang is typically depicted in the 17th
century and later with a beard and dressed in
full scholar’s garments, with a long robe, belt
and hat. However, compare the present figure
with a clean shaven stoneware model, dated
1597, in the British Museum collection, and
illustrated in the exhibition catalogue Chinese
Ivories from the Shang to the Qing, London
1984, p. 105, no. 115.

Also, see another figure of a seated scholar,
dated Ming Dynasty, and bearing traces
of gilt, in the British Museum collection,
illustrated in R. Soame Jenyns, Chinese Art,
London 1981, p. 163, no. 119.

Finally compare the present lot with a skilfully
carved ivory figure of a sage, dated 17th
century and attributed to the Zhangzhou
ivory workshops in Fujian province, sold at
Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 5 April 2017, lot 3648.
216

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. ASIAN ART - PART I | 81