A BRONZE FIGURE OF WEN CHANG MING DYNASTY, 16TH / 17TH CENTURY

the God of Literature, Wen Chang, with downcast eyes and a serene expression, dressed in a long flowing robe and seated upon an outcrop of craggy rockwork, his right hand holds a scroll while his left hand hides beneath the voluminous folds of his sleeve, with a ruyi scepter resting by his elbow on a ledge

J. J. Lally and Co., New York, February 2008.

Two Thousand Years of Chinese Sculpture, New York, 2008, pl. 27.
James Hsu, The Boundless Wisdom of Buddhism, Taipei, 2009, p. 156, right.

The figure has been lacquered and some of the lacquer is peeling off. The rocky ledge is not lacquered. The overall condition is very good.
"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."

Wen Chang is the patron deity of literature whose heavenly task, assigned by the Jade Emperor (Yudi), was to keep a record of all the meritorious men of letters. He was also believed to have power over the destinies of scholars and officials, and was venerated by those in need of help with their examinations, particularly for obtaining the jinshi degree which was an essential requirement for any position in the official bureaucracy.  

A seated bronze figure of Wen Chang, with visible traces of surface colour and gilding, attributed to the Ming Dynasty and in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, is illustrated in Rose Kerr, Later Chinese Bronzes, London, 1990, pl. 68. Also compare a seated figure of Chen Wu, Guardian of the Four Directions, of similar large size to the present piece, dated to the sixth year of Tianqi's reign (corresponding to 1626) published in The Second Bronze Age. Later Chinese Metalwork, London, 1991, pl. 4, together with a miniature lacquered gilt-bronze figure of Wen Chang, pl. 5.  See also a large bronze figure of a scholar, attributed to the 17^th century, sold in our London rooms, 1^st November 1985, lot 403; and a smaller figure of a sage, from the Mayer collection, sold at Christie's London, 24^th June 1974, lot 115.