East Asia, China, Yuan Dynasty, 1279 to 1368 CE. A fascinating Yuan Dynasty sculptural bust depicting a male Mongolian figure - perhaps a warrior-ruler from the time of the great Kublai Khan and Marco Polo - or possibly one of the famous Eight Immortals, likely Lu Dongbin (also Lu Tung-pin - an Elegant Scholar) given the style of his head covering and beard - finely carved in the round from red sandstone. The figure wears an elaborate crown or headdress and flowing robes. His head leans toward the right as his visage comprised of almond-shaped eyes, an elegant browline, straight nose, and long mustache and beard peers dramatically toward the left. Size: 10" W x 10" H (25.4 cm x 25.4 cm); 10.875" H (27.6 cm) on included custom stand.

Lu Dongbin (also Lu Tung-pin, Lu Yan, or Luzi - born 796) is one of the Eight Immortals revered by Daoists / Taoists and virtually all of Chinese society. A Tang Dynasty scholar and poet, he is traditionally depicted as a man of letters in art, carrying a fly switch and a magic sword. One of the many legends about Lu Dongbin tells of Dongbin rewarding an elderly woman for her honesty by miraculously transforming her simple well water into sweet wine. Another legend tells of Dongbin’s valiant attempts (three to be precise) to convert a sing-song girl named White Peony from her undisciplined, wayward life.

Kublai (also spelled Khubilai or Kubla) Khan was the great grandson of Ghengis Khan, perhaps his greatest successor as a strong Mongolian statesman and general in his own right. He completed the conquest of China begun by his grandfather, and became the first Yuan ruler to reign over the entirety of China as the fifth emperor (reigned 1260-1294) of the Mongol or Yuan dynasty (1206-1368). The Mongol conquest of China impacted visual culture. Yuan literati were less interested in realistic depictions that were true to nature, but rather used art as a form of self expression - transcending the notion that art was merely a form of strict representation. The free-flowing lines and sense of motion evident in this piece provide a glimpse of Yuan period works inspired by this philosophy.

Provenance: private St. Louis, Missouri, USA collection; ex private Atlanta, Georgia, USA collection

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#128946

Expected surface wear commensurate with age. Some earthen and mineral deposits to the surface as well. A section from a larger sculpture with losses to the headdress, right shoulder, nose, cheeks, and peripheries as shown. Still, a very strong piece.