A large and rare gilt-bronze figure of Wenchang Wang


Late Ming DynastyThe impressive figure well cast, seated with hands clasped holding a hu tablet before his chest, the long robes draped in elegant folds and decorated with striding dragons at the hems, the bearded face with a pensive expression flanked by pendulous ears and long strands of black hair, the tall headdress decorated with a three-peaked mountain emerging from crashing waves and flanked by the sun and the moon characters issuing from wispy clouds, stand. 58cm (22 7/8in) high. (2).
|明晚期 銅鎏金文昌坐像Displaying a remarkable level of refinement, noted in the upturned slippers and the intricate designs decorating the hems of the voluminuous robes, cascading in multiple folds, the figure may be identified as Wenchang Wang, the Daoist God of Culture and Literature. Believed to have assisted the devotees in achieving success in the civil service examinations, Wenchang facilitated the path toward social acceptance and material rewards. Represented as an earthly minister, the deity occupies a pre-eminent position within the Daoist pantheon, as suggested by his high crown, decorated with the cosmic diagram, the ruyi-toed slippers and the dragon designs decorating the hems of his robes, all elements characterising the court outfit worn by high-ranking Daoist deities from the Song through to the Ming dynasties. See for example the Seven Star-Gods of the Central Dipper depicted in a painting titled 'Lords of the Root Destiny Stars of the Northern and Central Dippers,' dated 1454, illustrated by S.Little, Daoism and the Arts of China, Chicago, 2000, p.248, no.768. Compare with a similar but larger gilt-lacquered bronze figure of Wenchang, 16th/17th century, which was sold at Sotheby's Paris, 15 December 2016, lot 144; another larger gilt-bronze example, 16th/17th century, sold at Sotheby's New York, 27th March 2003, lot 15.