17TH/18TH CENTURY

Details

**A SOAPSTONE FIGURE OF GUANYIN
17TH/18TH CENTURY
The ivory-colored standing figure shown holding a scroll in her left hand and prayer beads in the right, the borders of her long, layered robes inlaid with coral beads, and her high topknot draped with a cowl, with the name, Yu Xuan, incised in standard script on the back, standing atop a separately made base of mottled reddish color carved as a large lotus blossom supported by wind-tossed waves, and possibly of later date
8½ in. (21.5 cm.) high

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.

Lot Essay

Yu Xuan is the mark for the carver, Yang Yuxuan, from Zhangpu in Fujian province, who was active during the mid-17th century.

The same mark can be seen on the back of a soapstone figure of a seated luohan illustrated in Between Heaven and Earth, Sydney L. Moss Ltd., London, 1988, no. 64, which is dated to the 17th century. The Yu Xuan mark is also inscribed on the back of a bai furong figure of a seated Guanyin, sold Sotheby's, Hong Kong, 29 October 2001, lot 692. The carving of this figure and the present Guanyin are very similar, especially the faces. Another soapstone figure of a seated luohan, inscribed Yu Xuan, is illustrated in the exhibition catalogue, Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Oriental Ceramic Society, Hong Kong, 1986, pp. 86-7, no. 45, where the authors provide a full discussion of Yu Xuan.

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