Provenance
Christie's London, 15 June 1999, 'Fine Chinese Ceramics , Works of Art and Chinese Export Ceramics', lot 62. (see added scan)
S. Marchant & Son, London, with their label to the rear.
Luis Allegria, Porto, Portugal,
The Mr. and Mrs. Baert-Devos Collection, Belgium. Acquired from the above on 31 March 2015, accompanied by a copy of their original invoice. (see added scan)
Exhibited and illustrated:
S. Marchant & Son, London, included in their November 2004 exhibition of 'Ming Blue & White: Jiajing–Chongzhen Including Dated Examples', and illustrated in the accompanying catalogue, p. 52, no. 34.
TEFAF Maastricht, Luis Allegria, 2015.
Description
Finely modelled as a Daoist deity seated in formal repose upon a faceted throne raised on a rectangular plinth. The bearded figure wears an elaborate ribbed court headdress and flowing robes, painted with floral and geometric motifs in underglaze cobalt blue. His hands are concealed beneath a draped cloth, forming a projecting ledge before the chest, while the layered robes fall in elegant folds, revealing the tips of his shoes. The throne and plinth are decorated with stylised waves, rocks and flame motifs.
The present figure represents a Daoist deity or immortal, depicted with a dignified and solemn expression suggestive of a devotional or domestic cult image. Such figures were associated with Chinese folk and Daoist religious practice, and may have been placed within a household or temple setting as objects of veneration, invoking protection, prosperity, harmony and auspicious blessings.
Reference:
Another identical example was sold at Christie's New York, 20 September 2001, 'The Falk Collection I. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art', lot 147, later included by S. Marchant & Son, London, with the present example as a pair, in their November 2004 exhibition of 'Ming Blue & White: Jiajing–Chongzhen Including Dated Examples', no. 34 and later sold at Sotheby's New York, 17 September 2013, 'Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art', lot 303. (sold USD 20.000) (link)
Literature:
A closely related figure is illustrated by Ulrich Wiesner in 'Chinesisches Porzellan: Die Ohlmersche Sammlung im Roemer-Museum Hildesheim', Hildesheim, 1981, no. 11, p. 65.
C. A. S. Williams discusses Zaowang in 'Outlines of Chinese Symbolism and Art Motives', p. 208, identifying him as the patron deity of the kitchen and noting the significance of offerings presented before the god.
Lot 16
Wanli
H.: 25,8 cm
Estimation
€ 10.000,00 – € 20.000,00
Provenance
Christie's London, 15 June 1999, 'Fine Chinese Ceramics , Works of Art and Chinese Export Ceramics', lot 62. (see added scan)
S. Marchant & Son, London, with their label to the rear.
Luis Allegria, Porto, Portugal,
The Mr. and Mrs. Baert-Devos Collection, Belgium. Acquired from the above on 31 March 2015, accompanied by a copy of their original invoice. (see added scan)
Exhibited and illustrated:
S. Marchant & Son, London, included in their November 2004 exhibition of 'Ming Blue & White: Jiajing–Chongzhen Including Dated Examples', and illustrated in the accompanying catalogue, p. 52, no. 34.
TEFAF Maastricht, Luis Allegria, 2015.