DIGNITARY WEARING OFFICIAL BELT.

Late 18th-early 20th century, China. Jadeite: opaque pale greenish-grey with darker streaks. Sculpted images of seated dignitaries of mature years usually are extremely formal. Their presentation is entirely frontal, the figures seated stiffly within the confines of a high-backed chair. Their bodies appear bulky, in part due to the elaborate robes with which they are draped. Often there is a noticeable stomach paunch, emphasized by the bend of the figures at that area but also reflecting one common characteristic of middle age, the well-fed belly. The large belt of office which appears to float over their mid-section further emphasizes this rotundity. Although hands and shoe tips may emerge from beneath the robe, the body is otherwise concealed by the stiff garment folds. The carver gives no hint of musculature, nor is there any movement expressed, apart from an occasional bent leg associated with military heroes. Respected individuals from both secular and religious lore, representing both males and females, may be portrayed in the fashion described. Wood folk sculptures of this type are well-known (Link, p. 101, #33), but many are unidentifiable due to the wearing away of specific attributes. Certain highly refined carvings may present generic “dignitaries” (Roberts, p. 35, #24, a Ming “sage”; Hai 2, p. 189, #187, a standing jade dignitary). There are many recognizable icons of popular religion and historical legend, however, such as Guan Di and Wen Chang, identifiable due to associated attributes or appended labels (Frankel, p. 247, “Cheng Wu, God of the North”). Although this jade sculpture in the Yangtze River Collection presents no clues to aid in image identification, the pose is associated with sculptures known to represent Wen Chang, the patron god of literature and one of two popular gods who “symbolized the path to social acceptances and material rewards” (Sheaf, p. 134). Carved with a “strict simplicity”, in the same manner as a “Mandarin deity” assigned to the Yuan period by Schedel (Schedel, pp. 50-1, pl. 10), this sculpture is seated, the right hand emerging from the full sleeve folds (indicated by incisions) to rest on the lap, the left hand grasping the belt in traditional fashion, the legs akimbo and resting on the fitted wood stand. The stand itself has a shou, or “longevity” character and two animal head legs, and on the reverse, three circles which echo the circles on the body. The enormous and strangely flat head appears to be incomplete, needing headgear which would be attached separately, an observation confirmed by the fact that the top is the only unpolished area of the work. The features are not clearly defined; eye and mouth openings are indicated simply by slits across raised, puffy areas. There are further anomalies which make this a puzzling image, including the four incised circles, two each on front and reverse, which appear as though they might be plugs (in fact, X-ray analysis reveals that there are no internal cavities). One of the circles (on the back of the skirt) is incomplete, one is indicated by a single line (the torso), and the others have a double-line profile. Though this appears to be a primitive work from an early period, the material indicates that it is a later piece, perhaps executed as a test piece in a jade carving workshop, as suggested by one knowledgeable observer familiar with workshop practices. There appear to be no “comparables” of known date and workshop location which can answer the various questions raised by this piece. Reference: The Yangtze River Collection, Later Chinese Jades published by Helga Wall-Apelt, 1993. SIZE: 9.25″ x 4″ x 3.25″ (23.5 x 10.2 x 8.3 cm) (exclusive of stand). CONDITION: Stone with natural fissures. Good overall. 9-95076 (800-1,200) – Lot 47

Auction: FAAA - Wall-Apelt Collection - March 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
	47	$355.50	DIGNITARY WEARING OFFICIAL BELT. Late 18th-early 20th century, China. Jadeite: opaque pale greenish-grey with darker streaks. Sculpted images of seated dignitaries of mature years usually are extremely formal. Their presentation is entirely frontal, the figures seated stiffly within the confines of a high-backed chair. Their bodies appear bulky, in part due to the elaborate robes with which they are draped. Often there is a noticeable stomach paunch, emphasized by the bend of the figures at that area but also reflecting one common characteristic of middle age, the well-fed belly. The large belt of office which appears to float over their mid-section further emphasizes this rotundity. Although hands and shoe tips may emerge from beneath the robe, the body is otherwise concealed by the stiff garment folds. The carver gives no hint of musculature, nor is there any movement expressed, apart from an occasional bent leg associated with military heroes. Respected individuals from both secular and religious lore, representing both males and females, may be portrayed in the fashion described. Wood folk sculptures of this type are well-known (Link, p. 101, #33), but many are unidentifiable due to the wearing away of specific attributes. Certain highly refined carvings may present generic “dignitaries” (Roberts, p. 35, #24, a Ming “sage”; Hai 2, p. 189, #187, a standing jade dignitary). There are many recognizable icons of popular religion and historical legend, however, such as Guan Di and Wen Chang, identifiable due to associated attributes or appended labels (Frankel, p. 247, “Cheng Wu, God of the North”). Although this jade sculpture in the Yangtze River Collection presents no clues to aid in image identification, the pose is associated with sculptures known to represent Wen Chang, the patron god of literature and one of two popular gods who “symbolized the path to social acceptances and material rewards” (Sheaf, p. 134). Carved with a “strict simplicity”, in the same manner as a “Mandarin deity” assigned to the Yuan period by Schedel (Schedel, pp. 50-1, pl. 10), this sculpture is seated, the right hand emerging from the full sleeve folds (indicated by incisions) to rest on the lap, the left hand grasping the belt in traditional fashion, the legs akimbo and resting on the fitted wood stand. The stand itself has a shou, or “longevity” character and two animal head legs, and on the reverse, three circles which echo the circles on the body. The enormous and strangely flat head appears to be incomplete, needing headgear which would be attached separately, an observation confirmed by the fact that the top is the only unpolished area of the work. The features are not clearly defined; eye and mouth openings are indicated simply by slits across raised, puffy areas. There are further anomalies which make this a puzzling image, including the four incised circles, two each on front and reverse, which appear as though they might be plugs (in fact, X-ray analysis reveals that there are no internal cavities). One of the circles (on the back of the skirt) is incomplete, one is indicated by a single line (the torso), and the others have a double-line profile. Though this appears to be a primitive work from an early period, the material indicates that it is a later piece, perhaps executed as a test piece in a jade carving workshop, as suggested by one knowledgeable observer familiar with workshop practices. There appear to be no “comparables” of known date and workshop location which can answer the various questions raised by this piece. Reference: The Yangtze River Collection, Later Chinese Jades published by Helga Wall-Apelt, 1993. SIZE: 9.25″ x 4″ x 3.25″ (23.5 x 10.2 x 8.3 cm) (exclusive of stand). CONDITION: Stone with natural fissures. Good overall. 9-95076 (800-1,200) – Lot 47 Auction: FAAA - Wall-Apelt Collection - March 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.

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DIGNITARY WEARING OFFICIAL BELT.