Lot 14 A Chinese blue and white figure of a Daoist deity

A Chinese blue and white figure of a Daoist deity

Wanli

未知

€ 5.000 – € 10.000

H: H. 21,1 cm, W. 10,2 cm, D. 6,7 cm

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The figure is portrayed on a throne, raised on a plinth decorated with stylised cloud motifs and centred by the trigram Dui (☱, 兌), one of the Eight Trigrams (Bagua). In Daoist cosmology, the Bagua represent the fundamental principles of the universe, and the Dui trigram is traditionally associated with the West, lakes, joy, and metal. The figure is dressed in the robes of a civil official, with the hands held at chest level and concealed beneath a cloth decorated with a geometric floral pattern. The reverse is pierced with a small circular aperture.
The incorporation of Bagua symbolism is characteristic of Ming dynasty decorative arts, where Daoist motifs were frequently employed on ritual and auspicious objects, underscoring both their symbolic and ceremonial significance.
人物端坐於寶座之上，下承臺座，座面飾如意雲紋，中央繪八卦之一的「兌」卦（☱）。八卦在道教宇宙觀中象徵天地萬物運行的基本法則，其中兌卦通常與西方、澤、悅及五行之金相應。人物身着文官袍服，雙手拱於胸前，隱於幾何花卉紋巾帕之下，背面開一小圓孔。
八卦紋是明代裝飾藝術中常見的道教題材，經常用於祭祀及吉祥器物。此像將文官形象、雲紋與兌卦結合，不僅具有鮮明的道教象徵意味，亦突顯其禮儀及祈福功能。
Provenance:
Rob Michiels Auctions, Bruges, 6 October 2018, lot 795, with their label to the rear. (sold EUR 9.750,00) (link)
The Mr. and Mrs. Baert-Devos Collection, Belgium. Acquired from the above. (see added scan)