18TH CENTURY

Details

A FINELY CARVED YELLOWISH-GREEN JADE FIGURE OF A SEATED BUDDHA
18TH CENTURY
The figure is shown seated in dhyanasana with the hands held in dhyanamudra and wears a dhoti that covers the lower body while the upper body is bare. The face is finely detailed with a contemplative expression and the hair shown in tight curls. The softly polished stone is of yellow color with areas of brown primarily on the lower body and back.
5 in. (12.7 cm.) high, hongmu stand

Provenance

Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978) Collection.

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Rufus Chen (陳嘉安) Head of Sale, AVP, Specialist

asianartny@christies.com +1 212 636 2180

Lot Essay

Buddhism flourished during the Qing dynasty, and was encouraged by the devotion of the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong emperors and their successors. As a result of its popularity, the production of Buddhist statuary, ritual objects, vessels and other implements became widespread, and a variety of materials was employed in their manufacture, especially jade and gilt bronze. The present figure is unusual in that the torso is left bare, perhaps to highlight the color of the stone, whereas most jade Buddha figures are shown wearing layered robes, such as the white jade figure shown in a similar pose illustrated in Zhongguo yuqi quanji, Qing, vol. 6, Hebei, 1994, p. 227, pl. 334.

More from Important Chinese Art from the Junkunc Collection

View All