A LARGE BLANC-DE-CHINE FIGURE OF BUDDHA MING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY

finely modelled standing on a lotus pedestal base, his left hand holding a jewel and his right held in bhumisparsa mudra, wearing a loose-fitting robe tied at the waist and open at the chest, his face with almond-shaped eyes beneath high arched brows and all framed by his hair curled in tight knots around the usnisa, the glaze of creamy-white tone

Collection of Paul Marie Louis Guilbert (1878-1934).

The figure is in overall good condition with the exception of restoration to the left hand and to the right arm and hand, and to the lower edge of the robe; repair to several long firing cracks extending up from the base and into the lower body of the figure; light glaze lines and crazing, especially to the lower section.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The four-character potter's mark 'Hui Jiang shan ren' (the mountain hermit Hui Jiang) is recorded in P. J. Donnelly, Blanc de Chine, London, 1969, p. 359, no. 8b. A Hui Jiang mark can also be found on a Guanyin illustrated ibid., pl. 82A, but without a border. A seated figure of Buddha, from the collection of Edward T Chow, bearing the same mark as the present figure, was sold in our New York rooms, 19th May 1981, lot 461. 

For other examples of standing Buddha figures see a larger figure published in Robert H. Blumenfield, Blanc de Chine. The Great Porcelain of Dehua, Toronto, 2002, pl. 56C; another with the mark of Zhang Shoushan and wearing elaborate jewels, in the Percival David Foundation, included op.cit., London, 1969, pl. 138A ; and a third figure sold in our New York rooms, 24th June 1981, lot 279.

Paul-Marie-Louis Guilbert was a well known early twentieth century collector in France who, upon his death, bequeathed most of his collection to the City of Rouen.