A RARE MING IVORY CARVING OF A FRIAR

LATE 16TH/EARLY 17TH CENTURY

Details

A RARE MING IVORY CARVING OF A FRIAR
late 16th/early 17th century
The well-hollowed figure clad in a long hooded robe tied at the waist, the bared head with shaven crown, the right hand raised in a gesture of teaching, the other holding what may be a missal, on which a bird is perched, traces of pigment remaining, age cracks
7 1/8in. (18cm.) high

Exhibited

London, The British Museum, jointly with the O.C.S., Chinese Ivories from the Shang to the Qing, 1984, Catalogue, no.41, colour plate 2.

Lot Essay

It has been suggested that the bird represents the dove of peace. Compare the very similar, slightly larger figure of a friar, exhibited in Chinese Ivories from the Kwan Collection, Hong Kong, 1990, Catalogue no.70, p.182, illustrated in colour, where it is suggested that this figure may depict St. Dominic; however, compare also the beardless friar, St. Anthony of Padua, included in the Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, 1990 Exhibition, Images of Faith, and illustrated in colour, Catalogue, p.68, discussed by Regalado Trota Jose on pp.42 and 43. See also Colin Sheaf, op.cit., p.68.

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