Go back to Works of art
3] FROM OUR 2004 EXHIBITION – ‘LUMINESCENCE FROM THE EAST
AN EXHIBITION OF BUDDHIST AND HINDU SCULPTURE FROM INDIA, CHINA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA’
No. 26 ANCESTRAL PORTRAIT SCULPTURE
CHINA
SHAANXI PROVINCE
MING DYNASTY, CIRCA 16TH CENTURY
H. 40.7 CMS, 16 INS
W. 42 CMS, 16 ½ INS
A highly unusual ancestral stone sculpture depicting a husband and wife seated beside one another on a raised pedestal of fluted and key-fret design, their faces calm and serene, the female figure holding an ink stone in the palm of her left hand, the male figure holding similar inkstones in his left and right palms, both figures dressed in the traditional headdress and costume of Chinese aristocracy; a long-sleeved surcoat buttoned up to the neck over a longer undergarment, the bound feet of the lady and the shoes of the man protruding beneath the hems, two small servant figures accompanying, one holding a teapot and a fan, the other a second fan and an offering of food.
Late Ming glazed examples of deities in this style are known but it is very rare to find an example of what appears to be portraiture.
Provenance: Previously sold by us in 2004.
Private English Collection in Portugal.