J.J. Lally & Co., Oriental Art / New York City, New York
MenuPast Exhibition
Two Thousand Years of Chinese Sculpture
March 17-29, 2008
27.
A MING BRONZE FIGURE OF WENCHANG, THE GOD OF LITERATURE
Late 16th - 17th Century
the Daoist deity well cast in the round, shown dressed as a high official, wearing a close-fitting court headdress and with a belt of rank across his chest and another belt with ‘jade’ mounts just below his waist, seated on an elaborate rockwork throne with his right arm resting on a rock-table, a ruyi scepter by his elbow and holding a scroll in his right hand, his left hand covered by the voluminous sleeve of his loose robes which fall in heavy folds down to the tops of his shoes resting comfortably on a narrow rocky platform continuing down to a pierced rockwork base, the surface with very dark brown-black glossy patina.
Height 13 7⁄8 inches (35.7 cm)
Wenchang, who was believed to have power over the destinies of scholars and officials, was one of the most popular gods in China during the Ming and Qing dynasties. He was venerated above all by those in need of help with examinations, particularly the official exams for the jinshi degree which was the essential requirement for a career in the Chinese official bureaucracy.
明 銅文昌坐像 高 35.7 厘米
27.
A MING BRONZE FIGURE OF WENCHANG, THE GOD OF LITERATURE
Late 16th - 17th Century
Height 13 7⁄8 inches (35.7 cm)