A large Dehua figure of Bodhidharma, 17th century. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2014

The seated figure is modelled with his hands resting on his raised left knee, his voluminous monastic robes fall in graceful folds around his body and his face is modelled with curly beard, moustache and eyebrows. The figure is covered overall in a crackled creamy glaze of ivory tone. 18½ in. (47 cm.) high, wood stand. Estimate £2,000 – £4,000 ($3,384 - $6,768)

Provenance: Acquired in France in 1965.

Notes: A similar but smaller figure is illustrated in Jessica Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, 2001, p. 514, ill. 17:14.

Christie's. CHINESE CERAMICS, WORKS OF ART AND TEXTILES, 14 May 2014, London, South Kensington - http://www.christies.com/