RARE AND FINELY CARVED RHINOCEROS HORN FIGURE OF BUDAI, WANLI PERIOD (1573-1620).

The smiling figure well carved in the round as Budai, seated amidst the spreading, loose folds of his robes, chest and large belly left exposed, clutching a tasseled rosary in his right hand while six laughing boys clamber up his body and play with his bag, robes and ear, the base covered in black lacquer, inscribed in gilt and cinnabar-red with the reign mark within a surrounding keyfret border, the carving of dark caramel tones darkening at the core. Accompanied by carved hardwood base. NOTE: The monk Budai, also known as the Laughing Buddha, is an incarnation of the Bodhisattva Maitreya, the Buddha predicted to succeed Gautama Buddha in the future. Typically depicted with a joyful expression and wearing loose fitting robes to reveal his plump stomach seated representing contentment and abundance, Budai is also associated with the protection of children and is often shown with small children playfully climbing on his belly or back. Figural carvings from rhinoceros horn are rare but the most common depictions include Manjusri and Budai. The current carving of Budai ranks among the most impressive and elaborate depictions of the subject matter. A very closely comparable carving of Budai formerly in the Ruth Dreyfus and Arthur M. Sackler collections is illustrated by Thomas Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 117 no.69, and again by J. Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, no. 325 and was sold at Christie’s New York, 1 December 1994, lot 28. Another related example formerly in the George and Mary Bloch collection illustrated by J. Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, no. 327, was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 23 October 2005, lot 34. SIZE: 5-7/8″ w. CONDITION: With good color and patina. Old shrinkage cracks on left, right and rear of figure. Small chip on edge of base. Otherwise good. 9-96137 (30,000-40,000) – Lot 3506

Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - February 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	3506	$53,325.00	RARE AND FINELY CARVED RHINOCEROS HORN FIGURE OF BUDAI, WANLI PERIOD (1573-1620). The smiling figure well carved in the round as Budai, seated amidst the spreading, loose folds of his robes, chest and large belly left exposed, clutching a tasseled rosary in his right hand while six laughing boys clamber up his body and play with his bag, robes and ear, the base covered in black lacquer, inscribed in gilt and cinnabar-red with the reign mark within a surrounding keyfret border, the carving of dark caramel tones darkening at the core. Accompanied by carved hardwood base. NOTE: The monk Budai, also known as the Laughing Buddha, is an incarnation of the Bodhisattva Maitreya, the Buddha predicted to succeed Gautama Buddha in the future. Typically depicted with a joyful expression and wearing loose fitting robes to reveal his plump stomach seated representing contentment and abundance, Budai is also associated with the protection of children and is often shown with small children playfully climbing on his belly or back. Figural carvings from rhinoceros horn are rare but the most common depictions include Manjusri and Budai. The current carving of Budai ranks among the most impressive and elaborate depictions of the subject matter. A very closely comparable carving of Budai formerly in the Ruth Dreyfus and Arthur M. Sackler collections is illustrated by Thomas Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 117 no.69, and again by J. Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, no. 325 and was sold at Christie’s New York, 1 December 1994, lot 28. Another related example formerly in the George and Mary Bloch collection illustrated by J. Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, no. 327, was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 23 October 2005, lot 34. SIZE: 5-7/8″ w. CONDITION: With good color and patina. Old shrinkage cracks on left, right and rear of figure. Small chip on edge of base. Otherwise good. 9-96137 (30,000-40,000) – Lot 3506 Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - February 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}

RARE AND FINELY CARVED RHINOCEROS HORN FIGURE OF BUDAI, WANLI PERIOD (1573-1620).