Eclectic II

Eclectic II

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 2012. A rare imperial bronze acupuncture figure, Qing dynasty, Yongzheng period 清雍正　御製銅針灸穴位人像.

A rare imperial bronze acupuncture figure, Qing dynasty, Yongzheng period 清雍正　御製銅針灸穴位人像

Lot Closed

December 21, 02:12 AM GMT

Estimate

80,000 - 100,000 HKD

Lot Details

Description

A rare imperial bronze acupuncture figure, 

Qing dynasty, Yongzheng period

清雍正　御製銅針灸穴位人像


cast standing upright, the figure modelled with well-pronounced facial features including a wrinkled forehead and pointed nose flanked by long earlobes, below neatly combed back hair extending into a pointed tip below the nape on the reverse, the rounded stomach framed by slender limbs, pierced overall save for the hair with perforations for needles in specific positions, the hair lacquered black, brocade stand

25.9 cm

Acquired from Gérard Levy, 7eme Biennale des Antiquaires, Paris, 1974.

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 3rd April 2017, lot 3073.


第七屆巴黎古董雙年展上購自 Gérard Levy，1974年

香港蘇富比2017年4月3日，編號3073

Such bronze figures pierced with apertures were used by acupuncturists and doctors to test their needle manipulation skills. See two similar Yongzheng acupuncture figures with a yellow silk box bearing text of an imperial degree of the Emperor, one from the Science Museum, London, and another (dated in accordance with 1729), sold in our London rooms, 16th May 2012, lot 164.

Other bronze figures include an earlier one dated to the Ming dynasty, possibly cast in the form of a Korean, and brought by an ambassador of the Yongle reign to the Taejong of the Joseon Empire (see 'Priorité à la curiosité', Connaissance des arts, 1974, p. 98.).