TWO 'DEHUA' FIGURES OF BUDDHIST GUARDIANS REPUBLIC PERIOD, ATTRIBUTED TO XU YOUYI

each finely modeled and detailed standing on a rocky plinth above swirling waves, Duowen with his atapatra, Zengzhang holding his sword (now lost), attired in well-articulated armor with flowing sashes over heavily draped multi-layered robes and with finely incised decoration to the outer garment, the back impressed with double-gourd Dehua seal and square Xu Yunlin zhi seal (2)

Blanc de Chine: Divine Images in Porcelain, China Institute Gallery, New York, 2002, cat. nos 73 and 74.

Liu Youzheng, Zhongguo Dehua Baici Yanjiu / Blanc de Chine, Beijing, 2007, col. pl. 39.

Duo Wen's umbrella rod lost, and there appears to be a chip where the rod met the body armor. Zeng Zhang's sword likely was not made of porcelain, but was a separate piece placed within his hands, and is now lost. Zeng Zhang with a chip to the tip of two tassels. Each figure with minor firing imperfections.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A related guardian figure, likely depicting Zengzhang, attributed to Xu Yunlin, is illustrated in P.J. Donnelly, Blanc de Chine, London, 1969, pls 156 and 157.

Another figure attributed to Xu Yunlin, likely depicting the bodhisattva Weituo, is illustrated in Robert H. Blumenfield, Blanc de Chine: The Great Porcelain of Dehua, Berkeley, 2002, pl. 59C.