17TH-18TH CENTURY

Details

A SUPERB SOAPSTONE FIGURE OF A BODHISATTVA
17TH-18TH CENTURY
The figure, shown wearing coral-embelished jewelry and layered robes incised with phoenixes, dragons and lotus scroll borders, holds a scroll in her left hand. Her finely detailed hair is pulled up into an elaborate topknot above a simple filet and falls in knotted tresses on her shoulders. The stone is of warm ivory tone retains traces of gilding and black pigment. A gilded six-character inscription, Gumin Zhou Bin bai zhi (Respectably made by Zhou Bin of the Hall of Antiquities) is incised on the back.
4 ¾ in (12 cm.) high

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

Zhou Bin, also known as Shang Jun, was a native of Zhangzhou in Fujian province. He is most famous for his seal carvings, luohan figures and, occasionally, seal paste boxes. It has also been suggested, though not conclusively proved, that he originally studied under Yang Yuxuan and later worked as an Imperial craftsman in the Palace workshops of the Kangxi Emperor.
The delicate treatment of the facial features is characteristic of Zhou's works, as is the meticulous treatment of the robes with masterful carved details on the hems.

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