
Juliette Hammer
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十七/十八世紀 竹雕東方朔坐像
Provenance: Acquired in London in the 1970's (collector's notes)
來源: 1970年代獲得於倫敦(藏家筆記)
Dongfang Shuo 東方朔, a legendary scholar and wit, served at the Court of Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty. Celebrated for his sharp intellect and mischievous humour, he became a symbol of quick thinking and ingenuity. He is also closely linked to the 'Peaches of Immortality,' as folklore recounts that he stole these mythical fruits from the garden of the Queen Mother of the West, elevating him to a semi-divine status in Chinese culture. His tales often emphasise his cunning and playfulness, making him a cherished figure in Chinese literature and art, where he embodies both wisdom and the quest for Immortality.
Compare with a similar bamboo carving of Dongfang Shuo, Kangxi, illustrated by S.Kwan, Ming and Qing Bamboo, Hong Kong, 2000, pp.278-279, no.66. Another related bamboo carving of Dongfang Shuo, Qing dynasty, in the Shanghai Museum, is illustrated in Literati Spirit: Art of Chinese Bamboo Carving, Shanghai, 2012, p.114-115, no.51. Another, mid-Qing dynasty, is illustrated in Ibid., pp.129, no.59. See also a related bamboo carving of Dongfang Shuo with peaches, Qing dynasty, in the Qing Court Collection, Palace Museum, Beijing (acc.no.故00120185).