- 789
AN ALBUM OF THE SIXTEEN LUOHAN QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY
Estimate
120,000 - 180,000 HKD
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Description
- wood and ink on paper
gold and silver pigments on blue paper ground, each of the leaves depicting one of the sixteen luohan, accompanied by an annotative text in Chinese and Manchu, wood covers
Condition
The overall condition is very good for its type. In addition to some expected creasing and foxing, there are typical small insect holes, many of which have been refilled professionally when the album was remounted. One corner of the album has been slightly chipped. The wooden covers have some typical surface scratches.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
The use of a deep blue coloured paper for the album is significant as in Buddhism dark blue is a colour closely associated with the healing powers of the ‘Blue Buddha’ or Bhaisajyaguru and the precious lapis lazuli stone which represents purity. Painting in gilt provides a rich and pleasing aesthetic to the work, emphasising the album’s importance to its owner. Furthermore, copying sutras and Buddhist texts had a dual function: it served as a calligraphic exercise as well as representing an act of devotion.
This album follows in a tradition created from the Ming dynasty, where Buddhist texts and sutras were exquisitely reproduced in album form and richly illustrated in gilt with linear drawings on blue paper; see one, dated to the twelfth year of Yongle (corresponding to 1414), sold in our New York rooms, 19th March 2015, lot 427; another dated to the gengzi year of Jiajing (corresponding to 1540), offered in these rooms, 5th October 2011, lot 1972; and a third, attributed to Zhang Ning (1425-ca.1506) and with a seal of the Qianlong Emperor, sold in our Paris rooms, 9th June 2011, lot 242.
This album follows in a tradition created from the Ming dynasty, where Buddhist texts and sutras were exquisitely reproduced in album form and richly illustrated in gilt with linear drawings on blue paper; see one, dated to the twelfth year of Yongle (corresponding to 1414), sold in our New York rooms, 19th March 2015, lot 427; another dated to the gengzi year of Jiajing (corresponding to 1540), offered in these rooms, 5th October 2011, lot 1972; and a third, attributed to Zhang Ning (1425-ca.1506) and with a seal of the Qianlong Emperor, sold in our Paris rooms, 9th June 2011, lot 242.