A RARE LONGQUAN CELADON FIGURE OF BUDAI MING DYNASTY, 15TH CENTURY |

depicted reclining against his cloth bag and wearing loose robes revealing his corpulent body, covered overall in an olive-green glaze save for the face, chest, hands and feet reserved in the reddish-brown biscuit, wood stand

A French collection, by 1923 (label).
Tai Sing Fine Antiques Ltd., Hong Kong, 18th October 2001.

There is a polished kiln grit to the reverse ‎of the figure on his right elbow. There is a small restoration to the tip of his left thumb and upper corner of the tablet he holds in his hand. Otherwise the figure is in good condition.
"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."

For a closely related figure of Budai of slightly larger size, from the Sir A.W. Franks collection and now preserved in the British Museum, London (inv. no. OA F.958), see Jessica Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, London, 2001, cat. no. 16:98. Compare also a Longquan celadon figure of Buddha sold in our London rooms, 12th July 1960, lot 123 and 14th May 2008, lot 332, from the Carl Kempe collection.