Lot 16 A Chinese blue and white figure of a Daoist deity

A Chinese blue and white figure of a Daoist deity

Wanli

未知

€ 10.000 – € 20.000

H: H. 25,8 cm, W. 12,5 cm, D. 8,1 cm

未知

Finely modelled after a Daoist deity seated in formal repose upon a faceted throne raised on a rectangular plinth. The bearded figure wears an elaborate ribbed court headdress and flowing robes, painted with floral and geometric motifs in underglaze cobalt blue. His hands are concealed beneath a draped cloth, forming a projecting ledge before the chest, while the layered robes fall in elegant folds, revealing the tips of his shoes. The throne and plinth are decorated with stylised waves, rocks and flame motifs.
The present figure represents a Daoist deity or immortal, depicted with a dignified and solemn expression suggestive of a devotional or domestic cult image. Such figures were associated with Chinese folk and Daoist religious practice, and may have been placed within a household or temple setting as objects of veneration, invoking protection, prosperity, harmony and auspicious blessings.
此像精塑一道教神祇端坐於寶座之上，下承長方形臺座。神祇蓄鬚，頭戴高聳的棱紋冠帽，身着寬袍，衣飾以釉下青花繪花卉及幾何紋。雙手拱於胸前，隱於覆巾之下，形成向前突出的平臺，層疊衣褶自然垂落，足端微露。寶座及臺座飾以海水、山石與火焰紋。
此像所塑或為道教神祇或仙真，神情莊重肅穆，應屬供奉性造像。此類作品與中國民間信仰及道教祭祀傳統密切相關，或供奉於家宅神龕或宮觀之中，寄託護佑家宅、招福納祥、富足安寧之願。
Reference:
Another identical example was sold at Christie's New York, 20 September 2001, 'The Falk Collection I. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art', lot 147, later included by S. Marchant & Son, London, with the present example as a pair, in their November 2004 exhibition of 'Ming Blue & White: Jiajing–Chongzhen Including Dated Examples', no. 34 and later sold at Sotheby's New York, 17 September 2013, 'Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art', lot 303. (sold USD 20.000) (link)
Literature:
A closely related figure is illustrated by Ulrich Wiesner in 'Chinesisches Porzellan: Die Ohlmersche Sammlung im Roemer-Museum Hildesheim', Hildesheim, 1981, no. 11, p. 65.
C. A. S. Williams discusses Zaowang in 'Outlines of Chinese Symbolism and Art Motives', p. 208, identifying him as the patron deity of the kitchen and noting the significance of offerings presented before the god.
Provenance:
Christie's London, 15 June 1999, 'Fine Chinese Ceramics , Works of Art and Chinese Export Ceramics', lot 62. (see added scan)
S. Marchant & Son, London, with their label to the rear.
Luis Alegria, Porto, Portugal.
The Mr. and Mrs. Baert-Devos Collection, Belgium. Acquired from the above on 31 March 2015, accompanied by a copy of their original invoice. (see added scan)
Exhibited and published:
S. Marchant & Son, London, included in their November 2004 exhibition of 'Ming Blue & White: Jiajing–Chongzhen Including Dated Examples', and published in the accompanying catalogue, p. 52, no. 34.
TEFAF Maastricht, Luis Alegria, 2015.