A rare Tianhuang figure of a luohan and a dragon, Qing dynasty (1644-1911)
Lot 966, A rare Tianhuang figure of a luohan and a dragon, Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Estimate $100,000 – $150,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016
The group is finely carved as a luohan seated on clouds holding a pearl in his right hand to tempt the dragon rising from the clouds in front of him. The long cords of the double gourd at his right shoulder trail across the cloth-draped straw hat hung on his back. His face is carved with a pleasant expression, and is framed by long eyebrows. The luminous stone is of warm, creamy honey color. Together with Connoisseur, March, 1989, vol. 219, no. 926, and Sotheby's Hong Kong - Twenty Years, Hong Kong, 1993. 2 ½ in. (6.5 cm.) long, box
Provenance: Sotheby's Hong Kong, 17 November 1988, lot 247.
Ashkenazie & Co., San Francisco, no. 89.
Literature: Nicole De Bisscop, Chinese Jade and Scroll Paintings from the Dongxi Collection, Brussels, 1995, p. 89, no. 50.
Sotheby's Hong Kong - Twenty Years, Hong Kong, 1993, p. 255, no. 395.
Exhibited: Chinese Jade and Scroll Paintings from the Dongxi Collection, Kredietbank Gallery, Brussels, 25 October - 17 December 1995; Kredietbank Luxembourg, 1 February - 13 April 1996, no. 50.
Christie's. DONGXI STUDIO- IMPORTANT CHINESE JADE AND HARDSTONE CARVINGS FROM A DISTINGUISHED PRIVATE COLLECTION, 17 March 2016, New York, Rockefeller Plaza