The Property of a Gentleman of Title
A magnificent blanc-de-Chine figure of Guanyin
Impressed He Chaozong mark, circa 1640
The gentle Goddess of Mercy expertly carved seated with serene expression, her hair in a high chignon bound by an intricate lotus tiara with a small Amitabha figure in the centre and covered with a long veil sweeping over the shoulders, the delicate hands gently clasped in her lap in samadhi pose, the richly sculpted robe gathered at the high waist revealing a jewelled lotus pendant on the chest, and flowing down in thick folds to cover the feet and parts of the double lotus pedestal, all covered with a rich creamy glaze, fitted box. 37.4cm (14 3/4in) high (2).
The gentle Goddess of Mercy expertly carved seated with serene expression, her hair in a high chignon bound by an intricate lotus tiara with a small Amitabha figure in the centre and covered with a long veil sweeping over the shoulders, the delicate hands gently clasped in her lap in samadhi pose, the richly sculpted robe gathered at the high waist revealing a jewelled lotus pendant on the chest, and flowing down in thick folds to cover the feet and parts of the double lotus pedestal, all covered with a rich creamy glaze, fitted box. 37.4cm (14 3/4in) high (2).
Sold for
£529,250
inc. premium
Footnotes
- 約1640年 德化白瓷觀音像 「何朝宗印」款
Provenance: acquired from S.Marchant & Son, London, on 2 July 1999.
He Chaozong is considered to be one of the greatest master potters of Dehua figures, excelling at creating statues of Buddha, Guanyin and of immortals for palaces and temples. According to P.J.Donnelly, he was particularly devoted to Guanyin. By absorbing various techniques of clay modelling, wood tooling and stone carving, He Chaozong created his own method which became known as the He School. His works can be found in the collection of the Palace Museum in Beijing and in leading private collections and museums in Europe.
Compare a similar seated Guanyin figure bearing a He Chaozong mark, illustrated by P.J.Donnelly in Blanc De Chine: The Porcelain of Têhua in Fukien, New York, 1969, pl.150D, later in the Koger Collection. For another example see also R.Blumenfield, Blanc De Chine: The Great Porcelain of Dehua, California, 2002, p.130, fig.A.
A related blanc-de-Chine figure of Guanyin, signed He Chaozong, was sold in these rooms on 10 November 2011, lot 210.
Category: Asian Art / Chinese Works of Art
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