A RARE GILT-BRONZE 'TIGER' ZODIAC FIGURE TANG DYNASTY |

standing in a scholar's robe with a human body of tall, slender proportions, the exposed hands clasped over the belly, the long robe open at the chest and tied at the waist with a cord, the unadorned fabric falling close to the body for a graceful silhouette that flares at the hem, the head in the form of a tiger's with muscular cheeks, pricked ears, and the large mouth open revealing a row of fangs, the interior hollow, wood stand (2)

Eastern Pacific Co., Hong Kong, 27th June 1986.
Collection of Florence (1920-2018) and Herbert (1917-2016) Irving, no. 1819.

The figure is in overall good condition with only scattered losses to the gilt and a few areas of oxidation (all as illustrated). Please note that this lot includes a stand, frame or other component made from a type of Chinese hardwood, which, if exported, will require a CITES permit to leave the United States.
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.

The depiction of animals in cyclical calendars began in the Han dynasty, but the development of zodiac figures with human bodies and animal heads did not occur until the Tang dynasty. Numerous painted pottery figures of this subject have been excavated in Tang dynasty tombs, however, gilt-bronze versions are extremely rare. The present figure is of the same style, size, and material as four other gilt-bronze zodiac figures in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, which respectively represent the hare, ram, dog, and pig, and are published together in René-Yvon Lefebvre d'Argencé, ed., Chinese, Korean and Japanese Sculpture in the Avery Brundage Collection, Tokyo and New York, 1974, pl. 118. A sixth figure, possibly from the same group and bearing an ox head, from the Seligman Collection is published in S. Howard Hansford, The Seligman Collection of Oriental Art, vol. 1, London, 1957, pl. XLIII (A88).