3 minute read
CHINE
32 - ASIAN ART SOCIETY
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sTAnDing guAnYin
China Ming Dynasty 16th century Height: 22,8 cm Ivory model with a wood stand Provenance: Private South American collection UK CITES export no. 551924/08 and Hong Kong permits Price on request
ObjeCt PReSenteD by:
Rasti Fine Art Ltd. M.:+852 2415 1888 E.: gallery@rastifineart.com W: www.rastifineart.com
MAY 2022 - 33
An ivory model of a standing Guanyin, with serene expression, wearing long flowing robes tied at the chest below a bead necklace and bejewelled headdress, the hands held together in front of the body, the ivory of rich brown tones.
European influences on this representation of the goddess indicates an earlier period when carvings of Guanyin can resemble figures of Madonna and child..
34 - ASIAN ART SOCIETY
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An oil PAinTing of A beAuTY (meiren)
China Qing dynasty (1644-1911) 19th century Oil paint, canvas and a wood frame with a metal hook 58,4 cm (h) x 43,2 cm (w), with frame: 66 cm x 51 cm Provenance: Henrik Eugen Reuterswärd (18811964), Sweden, by descent within his family Price on request
ObjeCt PReSenteD by:
Alan Kennedy M.: + 1 646 753-4938 E: kennedyalan@hotmail.com W: www.alankennedyasianart.com
MAY 2022 - 35
A young woman (meiren) is depicted in a full-face view, her eyes looking directly at the viewer. Her face is oval, with slightly parted lips, and red-tinged cheeks. She wears a traditional silk female robe having a finely detailed band of embroidered flowers. Positioned under the right arm, and resting on a traditional Chinese wooden table, is a seven-stringed qin, an ancient zither-like instrument. Seven silk cords, each in a primary color, decorate the visible end of the wooden qin.
The young beauty in the painting may not represent an actual person, but rather an idealized version of a courtesan. Such women were sought after by men of high status and wealth, not only for their youth and beauty, but also for their skills in the performing arts and their literary and conversational talents. Their Japanese counterpart is the geisha.
Oil painting was introduced to China by Jesuit priests, who first came to China in the 16th century. There was a flourishing export market for Chinese oil paintings, and many such paintings were made in workshops and bought by foreigners. There was also a domestic market, and this painting, with its obvious appeal to a Chinese male, may well have originally hung on the wall of a Chinese residence prior to being purchased by the Swedish collector.
36 - ASIAN ART SOCIETY
MAY 2022 - 37
38 - ASIAN ART SOCIETY
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fResCo PAinTing of A figuRe on HoRsebACK
China Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Length: 28,5 cm Width: 31 cm, mounted on a stand Provenance: Private French collection, acquired in 1998 Price on request
ObjeCt PReSenteD by:
Rasti Fine Art Ltd. M.:+852 2415 1888 E.: gallery@rastifineart.com W: www.rastifineart.com
MAY 2022 - 39
A polychrome fresco fragment of rectangular form, painted with a figure on horseback, dressed in long colourful robes, an attendant standing to one side of a horse, all amongst cloud-scrolls, the details picked out in raised gesso and with traces of gilt.
40 - ASIAN ART SOCIETY
12
China Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Length: 28 cm Width: 26,7 cm, mounted on a stand Provenance: Private French collection, acquired in 1998 Price on request
ObjeCt PReSenteD by:
Rasti Fine Art Ltd. M.:+852 2415 1888 E.: gallery@rastifineart.com W: www.rastifineart.com
MAY 2022 - 41
A polychrome fresco fragment of rectangular form, painted with a figure and attendant beside a tethered white horse, the principle figure dressed in bright red robes and tall hat, all beside a tree issuing from rockwork, the details picked out in raised gesso and gilt
