Page 24 - Bonham's Asian Art London November 2015

VARIOUS OWNERS

58
A MAGNIFICENT DEHUA FIGURE OF GUANYIN
Attributed to Hui Jiang, 17th century
The Goddess of Mercy modelled kneeling on a tall rockwork plinth, the
body draped in long cascading robes opening at the chest to reveal
a pendant, the hair coiled up into a chignon and fastened with a tiara
and hairpin, the serene face with a small urna and peaceful, downcast
eyes, the left hand holding a small scroll, wood stand, fitted box.
32cm (12 5/8in) high (3).
£40,000 - 50,000
CNY390,000 - 480,000
HK$470,000 - 590,000
Guanyin, the gentle Goddess of Mercy, is expertly carved seated
with a contemplative downcast gaze and serene expression. The
consummate skill of the master is revealed by the fine carving of the
hair in a high chignon, bound by an intricate tiara and hairpin, as well
as the exposed right foot and graceful hands, the left hand gently
clasping a delicately carved scroll. Especially worthy of note is the
richly sculpted robe, falling in flowing folds, contrasting with the rocky
pedestal to create a heightened sense of texture.
Although the present lot is unmarked, the face, hair, robe and
rockwork bear a strong resemblance to a blanc-de-chine sculpture of
Guanyin by Hui Jiang, illustrated by P.J. Donnelly in Blanc De Chine,
New York, 1969, pl.82. Donnelly placed Hui Jiang under the category
of ‘hermits’, but admitted that due to lack of data, Hui Jiang could not
be represented in his book and dated him to around the second half of
the 17th century. However, the present lot may also be compared with
another very similar figure of Guanyin, without rockwork, in the Palace
Museum, Beijing, He Chaozong mark, illustrated in Gugong Guanyin
tudian, Beijing, 2012, no.177. This would strongly suggest that the
present lot was made in the early 17th century, around the same time
as He Chaozong, the greatest of the Dehua potters, was active. See
another very similar figure of Guanyin, He Chaozong mark, illustrated
by J.Ayers in Blanc De Chine: Divine Images in Porcelain, New York,
2002, p.83, no.34.
Compare with a similar blanc-de-chine figure of Guanyin, seated on
rockwork and clasping a scroll, sold at Christie’s New York, 24 March
2011, lot 1161.

22 | BONHAMS