A Japanese Horyu-Ji Style Carved and Painted Wood Figure of a Celestial Musician, 19th Century or Earlier

19th Century or Earlier

The seated musician with a peaceful expression, playing a stringed instrument, on an opening lotus, traces of pigment; later wood base.
Note:
Figures such as the present musician were originally produced for the canopies over important Buddhist sculptures, such as those in the Kondo (Golden Hall) of the Horyu-Ji temple near Nara. Over time, these figures were replaced due to loss and damage, such as the 13th century example sold by Bonham's, New York, September 22, 2021, lot 1049. A later example, dated to the Edo period (1615-1868) may be found in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, #1954.792. See also the two figures sold at Kollar Auction, Zurich, Switzerland, December 4, 2017, lot 335, one attributed to the artisan Niro Chunosuke, the other to his workshop, circa 1906.

Height, not including base 9 3/4 in., 24.8 cm.

Property from a Private East Coast Collection.

Provenance:

K. Yamada & Co., Tokyo, Japan (as 1000 years old).

Property from a Private East Coast Collection, acquired from the above, August 25, 1964.

Losses to petals, petals bent down, losses to pigmented surfaces, soiling, wear; lacking scrolling backplate.

Additional photos are updated before the sale via this link (asian.smugmug.com/Sale-6418). Please read the above or contact us to request a complete condition report.
品相細圖見鏈接 (asian.smugmug.com/Sale-6418)，品相報告見上文。圖錄中未說明品相的拍品並不等沒有磨損、瑕疵或其他問題，建議買家於拍前自行檢查。落槌無悔，請對您的競拍行為負責。如有其他問題，請郵件 [email protected]。

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Annie Wu

Senior Vice President, Head of Department, Asian Art

[email protected]312.447.3260

Ms. Wu joined the firm in 2014, after working as a specialist in the Asian Works of Art Department of an East Coast auction house. She researches, appraises, and sells Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and South East Asian works of art, including jades, bronzes, ceramics, paintings, armor, and furniture. Throughout her career, Ms. Wu has achieved record prices for several prominent estates and collections, including the Estate of Frank G. Mertes, Sr., Winona, Minnesota; the Chinese Painting Collection of Ms. Yuan Jiaying and Mr. Li Guoyuan, Chicago; the Estate of Hisazo Nagatani, Chicago, and the Asian Art Collection deaccessioned from the Strong Museum of Play, Rochester, New York.

Asian Works of Art

A Japanese Horyu-Ji Style Carved and Painted Wood Figure of a Celestial Musician, 19th Century or Earlier

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**A Japanese Horyu-Ji Style Carved and Painted Wood Figure of a Celestial Musician, 19th Century or Earlier**