Page 11 - Bonham's Asian Art London November 12, 2015

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A LARGE POTTERY FIGURE OF A SHAMAN 4
Eastern Han Dynasty
The standing figure wearing an animal-skin over a
tight three-quarter-length tunic detailed with a long
strap and belted at the waist and rope-tied sandals
at his feet, holding a writhing serpent in his left
hand and an axe in his right, the face with serene
expression below a small squared cap, wood stand.
100cm (39 1/2in) high. (2).

£5,000 - 7,000
HK$59,000 - 82,000
CNY48,000 - 68,000

東漢 薩滿祭師陶俑

The result of Oxford Thermoluminiscence test,
no. 666j87, is consistent with the dating of this
lot.

Figures of shamans have often been excavated
from Han dynasty tombs in Sichuan Province,
where they protected the tomb occupant against
the malign influences that they might encounter in
their afterlife. Compare a similar figure included in
the collection of the Sichuan Provincial Museum,
illustrated by J.Rawson, Mysteries of Ancient China,
London, 1996, fig.113, p.211; another similar figure
is included in the collection of the Guimet Museum,
illustrated by J.P.Desroches, ‘The Chinese Art
Department’s Enrichment Policy’, Orientations, May
1991, fig.10, p.87.

4
FOUR POTTERY MODELS OF COCKERELS
AND HENS
Eastern Han Dynasty
Both cockerels modelled standing on sturdy legs,
their heads raised with rounded beaks and upright
combs, the wings, arched tails and feathers incised
with parallel lines, the largest 49cm (19 2/8in) high;
one hen modelled standing upright, the other in a
recumbent position, flanked by a brood of chicks to
either side of the wing, the largest 25cm (9 6/8in)
high (4).

£4,000 - 6,000
HK$47,000 - 71,000
CNY39,000 - 58,000

東漢 陶胎錦雞俑 一組四件

Cockerels and hens frequently appear in Han tombs
in conjunction with models of farmyards, wells and
harvesting tools, denoting the agricultural basis
of Han society. Calling to the sun every morning,
roosters are symbolic of the sun, yang principle for
masculinity and strength, and are associated with
benevolence. When occurring in pairs, roosters
denote high rank, forming the visual pun for ‘May
you achieve rank upon rank’. Together with hens,
relating to the feminine principle, yin, roosters
balanced the forces of the universe. Compare the
pottery hen and cockerel in the exhibition, Spirit of
Han, Ceramics for the After-Life, Southeast Asian
Ceramics Society, Singapore, 1991, no.50, p.96.

FINE CHINESE ART | 9