Lot 2873. A painted pottery figure of a seated hound, Northern Wei dynasty (386-534); 7 in. (18 cm.) long. Estimate HKD 30,000 - HKD 50,000. Price realised HKD 47,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2020. 

The figure is modelled naturalistically as a hound seated on a flat base. The head is attentively raised and finely detailed with a pointed snout and floppy ears. The front paws are outstretched with its tail curled to one side. There are traces of brown, brick-red and white pigments remaining, box.

Provenance: Acquired in Hong Kong, prior to November 1999
Chang Wei-Hwa & Company, Taipei
The Dexinshuwu Collection, Taipei.

Note: Related pottery hounds from the Northern Wei dynasty have been published, including one of similar style but smaller in size (16.4 cm. long), illustrated in ‘Luoyang Shachangxilu Beiwei HM555 fajue jianbao’, Wenwu, September 2002, p. 14-15. Compare also to a grey pottery figure of a dog dated to the Northern dynasties, early 6th century, which is also finely sculpted with its head raised in an attentive pose, illustrated in Susan L. Beningson, ‘Highlights from the New Arts of China Gallery at the Brooklyn Museum’, Arts of Asia, March-April 2020, p. 54, fig. 12Related pottery hounds from the Northern Wei dynasty have been published, including one of similar style but smaller in size (16.4 cm. long), illustrated in ‘Luoyang Shachangxilu Beiwei HM555 fajue jianbao’, Wenwu, September 2002, p. 14-15. Compare also to a grey pottery figure of a dog dated to the Northern dynasties, early 6th century, which is also finely sculpted with its head raised in an attentive pose, illustrated in Susan L. Beningson, ‘Highlights from the New Arts of China Gallery at the Brooklyn Museum’, Arts of Asia, March-April 2020, p. 54, fig. 12.