Page 77 - Fine Chinese Art Bonhams London May 2018

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A LARGE IRON HEAD OF DVARAPALA
Ming Dynasty
Heavily cast with prominent cheekbones, large
bulbous eyes beneath frowning brows, the square
jaw open with fierce expression, all between large
pendulous ears, the hair tied tightly beneath a
mythical-beast face cap.
53cm (20 7/8in) high.

£4,000 - 6,000
CNY36,000 - 54,000

明 銅獸門天頭像

Compare also with a related but larger and slightly
earlier iron head of the guardian Dvarapala, Yuan
dynasty, in the British Museum (acc.no.1960,0729.1).

68

69
A LARGE LACQUERED WOOD HEAD
OF A LUOHAN
Ming Dynasty
The head well carved with fleshy and expressive
features, the wrinkled forehead characterised
by a protuberant urna, the face with a powerful
expression, set with thick and arched eyebrows
above a prominent nose, the taut rounded cheeks
flanked by long pendulous ears.
34.2cm (13 1/2in) high.

£6,000 - 10,000
CNY54,000 - 89,000

明 漆木羅漢頭像

According to traditional Buddhist beliefs, the luohan
is a disciple who has attained enlightenment through
intense personal practices.

Compare with a similar wood head of a luohan,
Ming dynasty, included in the collection of the Asian
Art Museum, San Francisco (acc.no.B60S17).

See a related polychrome carved wood figure of a
luohan, Ming dynasty, with a similarly carved head
as the present lot, which was sold at Sotheby’s New
York, 15 March 2017, lot 546.

69

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. FINE CHINESE ART | 75