Statue d'un sage confucéen en bois laqué Chine, dynastie Ming, XVE siècle

assis, les mains jointes devant le torse tenant une tablette, portant une longue robe serrée à la taille par une ceinture et montrant des restes de laque polychrome représentant un dragon, les yeux mi-clos et le visage serein, des reliquats de moustache et barbe, sous une haute coiffe de sage; un panneau dans le dos révèle un orifice contenant des reste de papiers et tissus

Thomas Beckert, Virginia, USA

Overall wear to the lacquer and age cracks in the wood (visible on the photograph, the largest age crack to the rear left of the figure by his hip). Some chips to the edges of the carving, one to the veil hanging from his right arm. The figure had a moustache and beard made of hairs fitted in holes which are now trimmed and missing (some remaining hairs remaining in the holes). A section of the robe at the front bottom is affixed with wood pegs, possibly a later replacement, the two feet are made of separate sections of wood and can detach. There is an open compartment to the back of the figure, the cover is present and detached, some remaining parcels of fibber scroll held in a separate plastic bag.
"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."

At the imperial court, the use of giving sacrificial offerings to painted or sculpted images of Confucius and his followers was criticised as an imitation of a Buddhist practice : Confucius's teachings were to be honoured, not the man itself. In 1530, the Ming dynasty Jiajing emperor decreed that all existing images of Confucius and his disciples should be replaced with memorial tablets in imperial temples in the capital and other bureaucratic locations. There do not appear to be any other examples carved after this period, making early Ming examples such as the current lot all the rarer.

The dating is consistent with the results of a carbon dating test, Archeolabs TL.