17th Oct, 2024 11:00
TWO-DAY AUCTION: Fine Asian Art, Buddhism and Hinduism
37
A LIMESTONE FIGURE OF A BODHISATTVA, NORTHERN QI DYNASTY
€4,000
€8,000
A buyer’s premium of 30.00% (including VAT) applies to the hammer price of this lot if your bid is successful.
China, 550-577. Crisply carved with a serene face, the eyes half open in contemplation, a scalloped hairline topped by a floral headdress and secured by a band tied in a knot to either side, clad in a long robe knotted at the front and covering the shoulders, adorned with a beaded garland connected at the waist by a floral ornament, the garment falling in pleated folds above the bare feet standing on a circular base.
Provenance: The private collection of a Hong Kong gentleman who acquired the present lot around 1990 in the local trade and later moved to Canada. Thence by descent. A private collection in Canada, acquired from the above in 2008.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, signs of weathering and erosion, nicks, scratches, losses, remnants of pigments, few old repairs.
Weight: 34.1 kg (excl. (plinth)
Dimensions: Height ca. 99 cm (excl. plinth)
With an associated tall lacquered wood plinth. (2)
The present figure displays several stylistic features typical of the Northern Chinese sculptural tradition dating to the second half of the sixth century, where emphasis was placed towards the volume of the body, evident here in the stocky upper body and the convexity of the stomach, and the folds of the robe, gently cascading towards the bottom of the body.
The Northern Qi dynasty was one of the most vibrant periods in the history of Chinese art, especially in the context of Buddhist art, which experienced a glorious moment following the contamination of foreign ideas and styles.
The elaborate strings of jewels depicted on the chest, consisting of lengths of pearls separated by coral twigs, can be traced to the Central Asian and Indian ornaments worn by Indian noblemen and can be found on Gandharan sculptures. See Kurita Isao, The World of the Buddha. Ghandara Art, Tokyo, 1990, vol. 2, p. 177, fig. 13.
Expert note:
The present sculpture exhibits pronounced stylolites above the surface, indicative of a moist burial where minerals have migrated through the veins to the surface. A limestone head of a Bodhisattva from the Liao Dynasty shows the same veining: See Christie’s, New York, 23 September 2022, lot 838.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related limestone figure of a bodhisattva, dated to the Northern Qi dynasty, 102.9 cm tall, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 56.209. Compare a related marble figure of a bodhisattva, dated to the Northern Qi dynasty, 61.5 cm tall, in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession number 50.2264.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonham's, London, 7 November 2019, lot 38
Estimate: GBP 40,000 or approx. EUR 63,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare carved limestone figure of bodhisattva, Northern Qi dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of carving with similar robes, jewelry, and crown. Note the size (71 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s London, 1 November 2023, lot 115
Price: GBP 30,000 or approx. EUR 36,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A limestone figure of a Bodhisattva, Northern Qi dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of carving with similar robes, jewelry, and crown. Note the size (91.5 cm).
China, 550-577. Crisply carved with a serene face, the eyes half open in contemplation, a scalloped hairline topped by a floral headdress and secured by a band tied in a knot to either side, clad in a long robe knotted at the front and covering the shoulders, adorned with a beaded garland connected at the waist by a floral ornament, the garment falling in pleated folds above the bare feet standing on a circular base.
Provenance: The private collection of a Hong Kong gentleman who acquired the present lot around 1990 in the local trade and later moved to Canada. Thence by descent. A private collection in Canada, acquired from the above in 2008.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, signs of weathering and erosion, nicks, scratches, losses, remnants of pigments, few old repairs.
Weight: 34.1 kg (excl. (plinth)
Dimensions: Height ca. 99 cm (excl. plinth)
With an associated tall lacquered wood plinth. (2)
The present figure displays several stylistic features typical of the Northern Chinese sculptural tradition dating to the second half of the sixth century, where emphasis was placed towards the volume of the body, evident here in the stocky upper body and the convexity of the stomach, and the folds of the robe, gently cascading towards the bottom of the body.
The Northern Qi dynasty was one of the most vibrant periods in the history of Chinese art, especially in the context of Buddhist art, which experienced a glorious moment following the contamination of foreign ideas and styles.
The elaborate strings of jewels depicted on the chest, consisting of lengths of pearls separated by coral twigs, can be traced to the Central Asian and Indian ornaments worn by Indian noblemen and can be found on Gandharan sculptures. See Kurita Isao, The World of the Buddha. Ghandara Art, Tokyo, 1990, vol. 2, p. 177, fig. 13.
Expert note:
The present sculpture exhibits pronounced stylolites above the surface, indicative of a moist burial where minerals have migrated through the veins to the surface. A limestone head of a Bodhisattva from the Liao Dynasty shows the same veining: See Christie’s, New York, 23 September 2022, lot 838.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related limestone figure of a bodhisattva, dated to the Northern Qi dynasty, 102.9 cm tall, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 56.209. Compare a related marble figure of a bodhisattva, dated to the Northern Qi dynasty, 61.5 cm tall, in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession number 50.2264.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonham's, London, 7 November 2019, lot 38
Estimate: GBP 40,000 or approx. EUR 63,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare carved limestone figure of bodhisattva, Northern Qi dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of carving with similar robes, jewelry, and crown. Note the size (71 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s London, 1 November 2023, lot 115
Price: GBP 30,000 or approx. EUR 36,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A limestone figure of a Bodhisattva, Northern Qi dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and manner of carving with similar robes, jewelry, and crown. Note the size (91.5 cm).
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Auction: TWO-DAY AUCTION: Fine Asian Art, Buddhism and Hinduism, 17th Oct, 2024
Galerie Zacke is thrilled to present a two-day live auction event showcasing 700 works of art from China, Southeast Asia, India, and beyond.
The flagship auction will take place on Day 1 of the sale (lots 1-278) and features an inspired selection of impressive pieces from notable collections. Highlights include an important white marble torso of Buddha Maitreya from the Tang dynasty (lot 38), a magnificent pair of Imperial zitan ‘elephant’ stands likely originating from the Forbidden City or Summer Palace (lot 89), and an extremely rare gold rain drum from the ancient kingdoms of Cham (lot 238).
The general auction will follow on Day 2 (lots 279-700), offering opportunities for both seasoned collectors and new bidders.
Museum Deaccessions include the Wou Lien-Pai Museum and the Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum.
Notable Collector’s Provenances include Sir Elton John; Kartika Soekarno-Seegers, the daughter of Sokarno; His Exalted Highness, the Nizam of Hyderabad, Osman Ali Khan (1886-1967); and Xu Yingkui (1830-1903), Viceroy of Min-Zhe, Guangzhou, China; as well as many prestigious names such as Alan and Simone Hartman, Onno Janssens, Dr. Johan Carl Kempe, Nellie and Basil Ionides, David Taylor, and Captain William Alexander ‘Bill’ Palmer CBE DL.
Historic Gallery and Dealership Provenances include Jules Speelman, Sam Bernstein, Jacques Barrère, Michael Goedhuis, Leonardo Vigorelli, Sydney L. Moss Ltd, Ralph M. Chait Galleries, Robert Kleiner, Roger Keverne Ltd, and Spink & Son.
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8-16 October 2024
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