- 3647
明十五世紀末 象牙雕道教人物立像
描述
- ivory (Elephas maximus)
來源
Spink & Son Ltd,倫敦,1953年10月31日
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."
拍品資料及來源
The linearity of this carving suggests woodblock prints provided the source for the style of depiction. Deprived of the technique of washes in the early Ming period, woodblock prints made maximum use of the clean lines accented with small areas of detailed designs. The level of intricate decoration on the back, from the neatly combed hair to the ornately-decorated textile panel on his robe and hat create an effective contrast with the drapery and suggests it was created to be viewed from all angles. Furthermore, by leaving his robes undecorated, except for the edging along the neck and sleeves, the focus is drawn to his face.
During the Yuan dynasty, ivory was often used in palace decoration, thus leaving little for other private use outside the court. Lack of materials led to the decline of the art until the Ming dynasty, thus the few that were produced were of the highest quality. Only a small number of early Chinese ivory figures is known, including three figures of Buddha sold at Christie’s New York, 28th/29th October 1977, lot 130; and a standing figure sold in our London rooms, 8th November 1994, lot 362. All four figures appear to be later copies of Song originals, possibly from the late Song or Yuan periods. See also a large figure of Buddha, attributed to the late Yuan to Ming dynasty, sold at Christie’s New York, 19th March 2009, lot 601.