A RARE PAIR OF QINGBAI FIGURES SONG DYNASTY

each bent over holding a basket of objects and possibly a marrow respectively, on a rounded base carved with diagonal fluting 

Eskenazi Ltd., London, 1999.

Giuseppe Eskenazi and Hajni Elias, A Dealer’s Hand. The Chinese Art World Through the Eyes of Giuseppe Eskenazi, London, 2012, pl. 145.

The figures are in good condition, but the one holding the marrow-shaped object has a chip to each end just above each hand and a chip to the reverse of it below the left hand. There are areas of degradation to the glaze most likely from being buried, especially to the head of the figure with the basket. There are two test drill holes to the underside of the base of one figure.
"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."

This charming pair of figures is remarkable for its naturalistic modelling, achieved through the meticulous rendered details, such as the basket from which flaming pearls and precious objects emerge and the sensitively rendered poses and facial expressions of the two figures. Qingbai figurative sculptures of this type have been found at the Hutian kiln site in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province; see one of a boy illustrated in Chai Kiln and Hutian Kiln, Nanning, 2004, pl. 103; and another of a seated man holding a peach included in the exhibition Ceramics Finds from Jingdezhen Kilns, Fung Ping Shan Museum, Hong Kong, 1992, pl. 61.

Further qingbai figures of this type include a pair of seated luohan, published in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 1, London, 1994, pls 626 and 627; another  depicting the bodhisattva Guanyin, illustrated in Rose Kerr, Song Through 21^st Century Eyes. Yaozhou and Qingbai Ceramics, Dreumel, 2009, pl. 2-35; and the bust of a boy holding a peach from the collections of Ralph M. Chait and Evelyn Annenburg Hall, sold at Christie’s New York, 29^th March 2006, lot 89.