1st Sep, 2022 13:00
Asian Art Discoveries - Japanese Art
293
A LARGE AND RARE WOOD STATUE OF A GUARDIAN
Sold for €1,264
Estimated at €1,000 - €2,000
including Buyer's Premium
Japan, 14th-16th century, Muromachi period (1336-1573)
The masterfully carved and lacquered wood statue depicts a wrathful Buddhist guardian dressed in military robes with voluminous folds and standing tall, the hands held in dhyana mudra, above a rocky base. The neatly inlaid crystal eyes retain their original inside painting.
HEIGHT 61 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with some losses, old wear, age cracks, traces of use, minor touchups and flaking to lacquer, overall commensurate and as expected for a wood statue with an age of ca. 400 years.
Provenance: From a Canadian private estate.
The figure likely depicts Kubira, also known as Kompira or Konpira, the leader of the twelve heavenly generals or Juni Shinsho. They are the protective deities of Bhaisajyaguru, the Buddha of healing and medicine in Mahayana Buddhism. The Heavenly Generals, always shown with a fierce look and wearing armor, were often the subject of large wood sculptures during the Heian and Kamakura periods. In fact, five different sets of Heavenly Generals have been designated as National Treasures in Japan. In the group of figures at the Seikado Bunko and Tokyo National Museums, the uniqueness of each one of the figures has been praised, with varied postures, hairstyles, hand-held symbols and armor shapes.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related pair of guardian sculptures, dated to 13th-14th century Kamakura period (1185-1333), of larger size (88.9 cm), at Bonhams, Fine Japanese and Korean Art, 21 March 2018, New York, lot 2098 (sold for 81,250 USD). Compare also to a related figure of a guardian, dated to the Edo period and measuring 140 cm, sold at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 16 September 2009, New York, lot 3063 (sold for 9,760 USD).
Japan, 14th-16th century, Muromachi period (1336-1573)
The masterfully carved and lacquered wood statue depicts a wrathful Buddhist guardian dressed in military robes with voluminous folds and standing tall, the hands held in dhyana mudra, above a rocky base. The neatly inlaid crystal eyes retain their original inside painting.
HEIGHT 61 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with some losses, old wear, age cracks, traces of use, minor touchups and flaking to lacquer, overall commensurate and as expected for a wood statue with an age of ca. 400 years.
Provenance: From a Canadian private estate.
The figure likely depicts Kubira, also known as Kompira or Konpira, the leader of the twelve heavenly generals or Juni Shinsho. They are the protective deities of Bhaisajyaguru, the Buddha of healing and medicine in Mahayana Buddhism. The Heavenly Generals, always shown with a fierce look and wearing armor, were often the subject of large wood sculptures during the Heian and Kamakura periods. In fact, five different sets of Heavenly Generals have been designated as National Treasures in Japan. In the group of figures at the Seikado Bunko and Tokyo National Museums, the uniqueness of each one of the figures has been praised, with varied postures, hairstyles, hand-held symbols and armor shapes.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related pair of guardian sculptures, dated to 13th-14th century Kamakura period (1185-1333), of larger size (88.9 cm), at Bonhams, Fine Japanese and Korean Art, 21 March 2018, New York, lot 2098 (sold for 81,250 USD). Compare also to a related figure of a guardian, dated to the Edo period and measuring 140 cm, sold at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 16 September 2009, New York, lot 3063 (sold for 9,760 USD).
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