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Lot Essay
The present work is carved entirely from zitan, a hardwood from India that was exported to China in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. A purplish-black, fine-grained hardwood, zitan was considered the most prized hardwood by the Chinese. The density of the wood makes this material especially suitable for fine and intricate carving. Due to its slow-growing nature, zitan often was only available in small quantities, and by the Qianlong period (1736-1795), its use was controlled by the emperor himself.
Much of the zitan that came to China was used for furniture, as the hard grain of the wood made it resistant to splitting and swelling in changes of climate. Smaller quantities were used for boxes and other scholars’ accoutrement. Fewer works of sculpture in zitan are known, although the precious nature of the wood meant it would have been an appropriate material for an object of worship. Compare the fine carving, sensitive modeling, and surface decoration of the present figure with a gilt and polychromed zitan figure of Simhanada Manjughosha sold at Christie's New York, 12 September 2018, lot 324.
Himalayan Art Resources (himalayanart.org), item no. 24464.
Much of the zitan that came to China was used for furniture, as the hard grain of the wood made it resistant to splitting and swelling in changes of climate. Smaller quantities were used for boxes and other scholars’ accoutrement. Fewer works of sculpture in zitan are known, although the precious nature of the wood meant it would have been an appropriate material for an object of worship. Compare the fine carving, sensitive modeling, and surface decoration of the present figure with a gilt and polychromed zitan figure of Simhanada Manjughosha sold at Christie's New York, 12 September 2018, lot 324.
Himalayan Art Resources (himalayanart.org), item no. 24464.