拍品專文
This trinity is based on historical characters popularised by the 14th century classical novel, Sanguo Zhiyan Yi, Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Guandi, also known as Guangong (the Lord Guan), is reputed to be the military hero, Guanyu, of the Three Kingdoms period who died in battle with his adopted son, Guanping and his trusted general, Zhoucang. The figure of Guandi, himself underwent much transformation in Chinese history from military hero to become deified as a God of War. For a discussion on Guandi, cf. Larson and Kerr, Orientations, A Hero Restored: the Conservation of Guan Di, July 1991, pp. 28-34.
The cult of Guandi was actively supported by the Ming Court and his image can be found in Court paintings, for example, the large hanging scroll, 'Guan Yu Captures an Enemy General' by the early 15th century painter, Shang Xi, illustrated by Clunas, Art in China, p. 70, fig. 32. When compared with the Guan Yu painting, the strong facial features can be also be found on the present lot.
A closely related Guandi figure dated to 16th century sharing similarly facial features and wearing a robe also decorated with dragon roundels, is in the Chang Foundation, included in the exhibition, Buddhist Images in Gilt Metal, illustrated in the Catalogue, 182, no. 84. The role of Guanping appearing alongside his father is probably that of a loyal attendant. For later 18th/19th century examples of Guanping and Zhoucang in the Chang Foundation, illustrated ibid, p. 188, no. 87; and p. 190, no. 88, where the author contrast the dramatic difference in portrayal of the handsome Guanping to the far from handsome Zhoucang.
Another feature of note is the central dragon roundel incised on the garment of the present lot which resemble those found on porcelains of the mid-Ming period. Compare the full-faced dragons with a Jiajing marked enamelled censer from the National Palace Museum, Taibei, illustrated in Mingdai Taoci Daiquan, p. 358, and a Longqing marked lobed blue and white box and cover, from the Percival David Foundation, illustrated by Scott, Elegant Form and Harmonous Decoration, p. 85, no. 86.
(US$80,000-100,000)
The cult of Guandi was actively supported by the Ming Court and his image can be found in Court paintings, for example, the large hanging scroll, 'Guan Yu Captures an Enemy General' by the early 15th century painter, Shang Xi, illustrated by Clunas, Art in China, p. 70, fig. 32. When compared with the Guan Yu painting, the strong facial features can be also be found on the present lot.
A closely related Guandi figure dated to 16th century sharing similarly facial features and wearing a robe also decorated with dragon roundels, is in the Chang Foundation, included in the exhibition, Buddhist Images in Gilt Metal, illustrated in the Catalogue, 182, no. 84. The role of Guanping appearing alongside his father is probably that of a loyal attendant. For later 18th/19th century examples of Guanping and Zhoucang in the Chang Foundation, illustrated ibid, p. 188, no. 87; and p. 190, no. 88, where the author contrast the dramatic difference in portrayal of the handsome Guanping to the far from handsome Zhoucang.
Another feature of note is the central dragon roundel incised on the garment of the present lot which resemble those found on porcelains of the mid-Ming period. Compare the full-faced dragons with a Jiajing marked enamelled censer from the National Palace Museum, Taibei, illustrated in Mingdai Taoci Daiquan, p. 358, and a Longqing marked lobed blue and white box and cover, from the Percival David Foundation, illustrated by Scott, Elegant Form and Harmonous Decoration, p. 85, no. 86.
(US$80,000-100,000)