Lot 716. A pair of ivory inlaid panels, Qing Dynasty, 18th century; 31 1/2 in., 21 cm. Estimate 35,000 — 45,000 USD. Lot sold 228,000 USD. Photo: Sotheby's.

each panel finely inlaid with Zhong Gui, the demon queller, seated among furniture and books in the company of five animated demons, one panel with a demon cleaning Zhong Gui's ear, mounted on a gilt ground, within zitan frames.

Provenance: Moy Ying Ming Gallery, Chicago.

Note: According to folklore, Zhong Gui travelled with Du Ping, a friend from his hometown, to take part in the imperial examinations at the capital. Though Zhong achieved top honors in the exams, his title of "zhuangyuan" was stripped by the emperor because of his disfigured appearance. In anger, Zhong Gui committed suicide upon the palace steps by hurling himself against the palace gate until his head was broken, and was buried by Du Ping.  After Zhong became king of ghosts in Hell he returned to his hometown on the Chinese New Year's Eve. To repay Du Ping's kindness, Zhong Gui gave his younger sister in marriage to Du. He is often depicted being escorted by demons. See lot 711 in this sale for a Zhong Gui bamboo figure riding a donkey. 

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, including Property from the Collection of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York, 19-20 march 2007