十七世紀 牙雕魁星扶文昌 連 紫檀座

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."

文昌（亦指文曲星）乃玉帝指派管理天庭文運功名之神，蓋有文公之人，均由其悉記在冊。民間信奉為主宰功名利祿之星君，故而廣受科舉考生恭虔之敬重，願佑一朝金榜題名，可在朝為官。本品雕文昌君及魁星，魁星者，則擔提榜記名之任。 台北歷史博物館藏一竹雕文昌及魁星作例，錄於《雕刻之珍—明清竹刻精選展》，2005年，編號78；紐約佳士得亦售一同題材之雕刻作品，2008年9月17日，編號110。

明末之牙雕魁星作品，另可參考一例，選刊於《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集：竹木牙角雕刻》，香港，2002年，圖版107；另可較一例，著錄於 S.E. Lucas，《The Catalogue of Sassoon Chinese Ivories》，卷1，倫敦，1950，圖版166，作者於書中言及，魁星殿試高中榜首，然因相貌醜陋受辱，憤然墜河，由神獸鰲所救，後成為文人之仙。