Lot 3677. A carved marble architectural frieze, Ming dynasty (1368-1644); 28 by 115 by 9.5 cm., 11 by 45 1/4 by 3 3/4 in. Estimate 300,000 — 400,000 HKD. Lot sold 437,500 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's.

the thin fragment carved in low relief with a broad register containing an elaborate dragon anthropomorphising into a foliate scroll in pursuit of a stylised flaming pearl, all above a row of pendent heart-shaped lappets containing trefoils, metal stand.

Note: Architectural elements, such as this frieze, are known from temples and shrines of the Ming dynasty, either as part of the building or forming stands for sculptures placed in halls or lining the spirit road. While most may be found carved in stone, those fashioned in marble are rare and of superior quality. See a comparable bas relief showing Amoghasiddhi, the Directional Buddha, seated on a lotus petal platform carved in white marble, attributed to the Ming dynasty, illustrated in Angela Falco Howard, Li Song, Wu Hung and Yang Hong (eds.), Chinese Sculpture, New Haven and London, 2006, pl. 4.2.

For related marble carvings of the Ming dynasty see an elongated rectangular brick-form piece, carved in low relief with archaistic dragons interlinked with lingzhi scroll motif, from the collection of Richard de la Mare of Handham Hall, England, sold in our London rooms, 30th September 1980, lot 335, attributed to the 17th century; and a magnificent Ming period white marble column, elaborately carved all over, sold in our New York rooms, 13th October 1984, lot 500.

Sotheby's. Contemporary Literati — A Gathering, Hong Kong, 07 april 2014