23rd Jan, 2025 11:00
Four-Day Auction: Asian Art Discoveries
78
A RARE AND LARGE POLYCHROME WOOD FIGURE OF THE PRINCE SHOTOKU TAISHI
Sold for €2,860
including Buyer's Premium
Japan, dated 1840 by inscription
The large figure depicting the semi-legendary regent Shotoku Taishi, standing with his arms folded before him, the wood treated with thick polychrome lacquer and pigments over gofun, the eyes painted behind crystal or glass. Shotoku has a long beard and his hair is tied into two knots covered by a long cloth which is draped over the head and shoulders. The prince’s robe is adorned with shippo crests. The figure stands on a square base in the manner of a tatami mat and is inscribed to the base: 天保十一庚子、十月廿五日、仙臺（仙台）、御細工業、某、中川兵吉一山作之 Tempo juuichi kanoe-ne, juugatsu nijuu-go nichi, Sendai, on-saikugyo, nanigashi, Nakagawa Heikichi Issan kore o tsukuru [This is made by Nakagawa Heikichi (Hyokichi), art name Issan, a craftsman, Sendai, on the 25th of the 10th month, in Tempo 11 (1840)].
HEIGHT 72.5 cm
Condition: Some scattered losses and general wear. The lacquer is slightly loose and is prone to splitting. Overall the figure presents well.
Prince Shotoku, or Shotoku Taishi in Japanese, is considered the founder of Buddhism in Japan. Immediately after his death around 622, stories of his miraculous achievements began to form a rich sacred biography, which in turn generated painted and sculpted icons of the statesman.
Japan, dated 1840 by inscription
The large figure depicting the semi-legendary regent Shotoku Taishi, standing with his arms folded before him, the wood treated with thick polychrome lacquer and pigments over gofun, the eyes painted behind crystal or glass. Shotoku has a long beard and his hair is tied into two knots covered by a long cloth which is draped over the head and shoulders. The prince’s robe is adorned with shippo crests. The figure stands on a square base in the manner of a tatami mat and is inscribed to the base: 天保十一庚子、十月廿五日、仙臺（仙台）、御細工業、某、中川兵吉一山作之 Tempo juuichi kanoe-ne, juugatsu nijuu-go nichi, Sendai, on-saikugyo, nanigashi, Nakagawa Heikichi Issan kore o tsukuru [This is made by Nakagawa Heikichi (Hyokichi), art name Issan, a craftsman, Sendai, on the 25th of the 10th month, in Tempo 11 (1840)].
HEIGHT 72.5 cm
Condition: Some scattered losses and general wear. The lacquer is slightly loose and is prone to splitting. Overall the figure presents well.
Prince Shotoku, or Shotoku Taishi in Japanese, is considered the founder of Buddhism in Japan. Immediately after his death around 622, stories of his miraculous achievements began to form a rich sacred biography, which in turn generated painted and sculpted icons of the statesman.
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