明 彩塑漆金菩薩立像兩尊

each portrayed standing, closely mirroring the pose of the other, with one hand raised and the other hand lowered, holding now-missing attributes, the full face with delicate features, inlaid with glass eyes, the forehead with a recessed urna, the elaborate chignon fronted by jeweled tiara, clad in fluttering scarf and layered skirt, the tiara and belt accented with wire, wood stands (4)

山中商會，紐約
John D. Rockefeller二世收藏，於上述購得，1936年11月11日
Nelson A. Rockefeller收藏，1960年
Rodman C. Rockefeller收藏，1980年

One figure appears to have had its head off and reattached and the resting arm reattached at the elbow. The ribboned shawls of both figures have restored breaks as well as some of the folded tips of drapery. There are areas of retouching of both gilt and pigment. Much of the wire decoration emanating from the crowns and held in the hands is now missing. There is wear and flaking to the lacquered decoration.
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.

An important innovation in temple construction during the Ming dynasty was the creation of molded clay and stucco backgrounds to the main altars. These backgrounds represented contemporary religious beliefs where sculptured figures of Buddhist and Daoist deities mingled and populated the heavens, creating a vision of paradise on earth within the confine of temple walls.

One such floor-to-ceiling three-dimensional landscape from the Shuanglin Temple near Pingyao in Shanxi, believed to date from the 14th century, is illustrated in Ann Paludan, Chinese Sculpture: A Great Tradition, Chicago, 2006. pl. 324. Other examples of temple interiors recorded to have been constructed during the Ming dynasty are illustrated in Chai Zejun and Chai Yumei, Ancient Painted Statues in Shanxi Province, Beijing, 2008, pp. 330-387.

Ann Paludan, op. cit., p. 474, notes that this feature of Ming dynasty temples in Shanxi was due to the combination of rich patrons and skilled local sculptures, and did not survive into the Qing dynasty.