J.J. Lally & Co., Oriental Art / New York City, New York

21.
A PAIR OF PAINTED POTTERY FIGURES OF DAOIST DEITIES

Late Tang/ Five Dynasties, 9th - 10th Century

each immortal sage shown dressed as a court dignitary with eyebrows knitted and eyes focused in an intense, austere gaze, seated on a drum-shaped throne draped with fur, with his hands held together in front of his chest, wearing layered robes gathered across his chest with a long cincture which is tied with a bow in front, the under-robes painted in cream white and deep red, the outer robes in pale orangey-red with purplish-brown borders perhaps intended to represent fur, with feet raised on a rectangular footrest and the forked toes of his shoes emerging at the hem of his robes and painted bright red; one sage with narrow eyes, white moustache and long beard, wearing a domed court headdress pierced at the front and sides, the other with almond-shaped eyes and a more youthful face, wearing a similar court headdress with a different crest painted in red above a pale green band.

Height 14 ³⁄₄ inches and 15 ³⁄₈ inches (37.5 cm and 39 cm)

唐晚期 / 五代  彩繪灰陶道教造像  高 37.5 厘米 及 39厘米