A RARE LARGE WOOD FIGURE OF AN OFFICIAL SONG – YUAN DYNASTY | 宋至元 木雕文官立像

Christie's New York, 29th March 2006, lot 345.

紐約佳士得2006年3月29日，編號345

It is rare to find a Daoist bronze sculpture of this size and quality, and even rarer to find one dated to the Longqing era. Several examples dated to the Jiajing period are recorded, including a larger figure from the H.M. Knight collection, sold in our London rooms, 7th March 1980, lot 32, dated to 1536, and a smaller figure, dated to 1552, sold in our London rooms, 12th March 1982, lot 128. However, no other Longqing example is known. The quality of the casting on the current example is noteworthy, especially the flamboyant phoenix headdress. Xiwangmu (Queen Mother of the West) was a popular female deity, revered by emperors and common people alike. Although originally she was not a Daoist deity, she was adopted into the pantheon of Highest Purity (Shangqing) Daoism from the Six Dynasties period onwards.

It is rare to find a Song to Yuan wood figure of this large imposing size depicting an offiicial figure as opposed to a religious figure. The pair to the current figure is illustrated on the cover of Chinese Arts Auction Records, Taipei, 2001, of identical size and form but hands depicted facing an alternate direction. The current figure is exceptional for the quality of the naturalistic portrayal. The sculptor artfully conveyed the spirit of benevolence and serenity, especially noticeable in the modeling of the softened features and dignified expressions. The skill of the sculptor is further patent in the way the clothing is depicted. There is a sense of movement in the drapery of the long flowing robes and voluminous sleeves. A smaller (70 cm) polychrome decorated wood figure of an official was sold at Parke Bernet galleries, New York, 8th June 1979, from the collection of Benjamin Sonnenberg.