Page 197 - Christies King St. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART

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A BRONZE FIGURE OF A DAOIST DEITY
MING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY

明十七世紀 銅碧霞元君坐像

The seated deity, depicting The Sovereign of the Clouds of Dawn, is modelled
wearing long robes, elaborate jewellery and celestial scarf. The intricate
headdress has a bird with long trailing tail feathers. The bronze has a dark
patina with some very minor traces of pigments.

15¡ in. (39 cm.) high

£6,000-10,000 $9,200-15,000
€8,200-14,000

This goddess, known as The Sovereign of the Clouds of Dawn but also as
the Lady of Mount Tai, developed relatively late in Chinese history, coming to
prominence only in the early Ming dynasty. Almost immediately, she became
one of the most popular deities of the northern part of China. She is closely
connected with Mount Tai in Shandong province, the easternmost of the
Five Sacred Peaks, and where her main temple is located. Mount Tai was
worshiped by at least 3rd century B.C., and was traditionally seen as the
gateway to the afterlife. The god of Mount Tai was traditionally male, a fgure
of considerable severity, who controlled the paths of the dead. The Sovereign
of the Clouds of Dawn was believed to be his daughter. Unlike her father, she
is a compassionate fgure associated with life, especially childbirth. She is
the yielding yin counterpart to her father’s yang sternness.

247

A LACQUERED AND GILT BRONZE MODEL OF A WARRIOR
MING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY

明十七世紀 漆金銅天王立像

The standing fgure is modelled wearing elaborate armour and celestial scarf
with the hands held together to the front. The bronze is covered all over with a
red lacquer and highlighted in gilt. The fgure fts onto a red lacquered
wood stand.

The fgure, 16º in. (41.3 cm.) high

£10,000-15,000 $16,000-23,000
€14,000-20,000

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