A 'DEHUA' FIGURE OF GUANYIN 17TH / 18TH CENTURY |

standing barefoot on a bank of swirling clouds, the face modeled with a serene expression with downcast eyes, pendulous earlobes and an urna mark on the forehead, the hair gathered in a high chignon secured by a ruyi-head tiara, robes draped over the rounded shoulders, open at the chest to reveal a beaded lotus necklace, the hands folded under the cascading billowing robes, the back impressed with a double gourd-shaped seal mark that reads He Chaozong 

There is restoration around the neck and lower legs, and a few other restorations along the edges of the cowl and robes, possibly to conceal small chips and cracks. There is a vertical crack above the right lower arm and another one to the back. Overall with some minute nicks and flakes to the edges and expected minor firing imperfections, including a few typical firing cracks to the base.
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.

Standing with robes undulating gracefully in the wind, this figure of Guanyin is notable for its size, fine modeling and delicate posture. From the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present, the Dehua kilns in Fujian have made Guanyin figures such as the present piece for both the Chinese and global market, with most domestic images produced for devotion in both public and private shrines.  A closely related figure from the Kempe Collection was included in the exhibition The Arts of the Ch'ing Dynasty, The Oriental Ceramic Society, London, 1964, cat. no. 294. A figure of this type also with a He Chaozong mark, from the collection of Edward T. Chow, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 19th May 1981, lot 465. Another similar figure, albeit smaller, was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 24th November 1981, lot 377, again, 14th November 1989, lot 136, and for the third time, 2nd November 1998, lot 361. Related figures that sold in these rooms include a larger example, 11th July 1972, lot 146, and one of Guanyin with a diadem centering the Amida Buddha, 20th-21st November 1973, lot 460. See also an example that sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 29th May 2013, lot 2304.