East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. late 19th century CE. A fabulous hand-carved wooden figure of an empress of the Xuande Emperor shown seated on a bench atop an integral plinth with her feet elevated on a foot stool. Capped with a flat-topped headdress and veil, the elegant lady is elaborately adorned wearing a feiyufu - a floor-length robe decorated with tondos of a feiyu or flying fish, which were bestowed upon favorites of the emperor. She holds an imperial scepter known as a ruyi in her right hand as a symbol of her power and authority and a model of a pagoda in her left, perhaps a reference to emperor's name, Xuande, which translates to "Proclamation of Virtue." Her square face is skillfully sculpted with downcast eyes, an arched brow, a flat nose, prominent cheekbones, and a gentle smile. The light signs of age, such as her wrinkled brow and sunken cheeks, indicate that this depiction was likely of the empress in her later years. The entirety of the sculpture is enveloped in a rich mocha-hued resin with underpainting in pink, black, gold, and white pigment creating a lovely floral pattern that dances across her robes. A reign mark can be found on the empress's verso, indicating that the empress is part of the Xuande ruling family of the Ming Dynasty. Size: 6.625" L x 6" W x 12" H (16.8 cm x 15.2 cm x 30.5 cm)

Provenance: private Morrison, Colorado, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#163844

Chip to back left corner of plinth. Nicks, abrasions, and scratches throughout. Otherwise, excellent with nice patina and liberal remains of gilding.