AN EXCEPTIONAL CARVED IVORY 'WEN CHANG AND KUI XING' GROUP ON A ZITAN STAND 17TH CENTURY

the scholar Wen Quxing depicted seated wearing long flowing robes and a cap, his right arm supported by the kneeling demon Kui Xing with large bulging eyes, the ivory patinated to a warm honey tone, all supported on a finely carved and reticulated zitan stand in the form of a rocky grotto

There is a 1 cm loss to one sash drapping from the cap of the scholar and a 0.3 cm chip to the lock of hair on his right. The tips of the left sleeve and the right foot of the scholar, as well as the demon's right foot, have probably been chipped off. There is also a tiny nibble to the right ear of the demon. The ivory is covered with an attractive patina of a light caramel-brown tone.
"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 (also referred to as Wen Quxing) 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. In this carving he is shown pictured with his assistant, Kui Xing, who is responsible for issuing official testimonials. A boxwood carving of Wen Chang and Kui Xing was included in the exhibition Series of Exceptional Carvings. Selected Ming and Qing Wood Carvings, National Museum of History, Taipei, 2005, cat. no. 78; and another was offered at Christie's New York, 17th September 2008, lot 110.

For an ivory carving of Kui Xing in the Palace Museum, Beijing, attributed to the late Ming dynasty, see one illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Bamboo, Wood, Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Carvings, Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 107; and another published in S.E. Lucas, The Catalogue of Sassoon Chinese Ivories, vol. 1, London, 1950, pl. 166, where the author notes that the scholar Kui leapt into a river in humiliation after he was denied first place in the jinshi examinations by the Emperor due to his repulsive features. After being saved by the mythical monster Ao, he was later deified to become the stellar patron of the literati.