A YIXING ZISHA FIGURE OF AN IMMORTAL, 17TH-18TH CENTURY

A YIXING ZISHA FIGURE OF AN IMMORTAL, 17TH-18TH CENTURY
China, late Ming to early Qing dynasty. The finely modeled clay body is of a deep brown tone with shades of caramel brown throughout. Some highlights, such as the many holes in his gown, are neatly picked out in black lacquer.

Condition: Superb condition with some old wear, soiling and minor firing flaws. The figure may once have held a separate stick or pole. The hardwood base is attached to the statue and may only be removed by a professional (we will under no circumstance attempt to remove it, even though a signature or inscription may be situated on the underside). The base shows significant traces of use and its lower section is loose.
Provenance: From an Austrian private collection. By repute acquired in the local market before 1980 and thence by descent in the same family.

Weight: 2,258 g including the hardwood base
Dimensions: 34.3 cm without the base and 38 cm with the base

The immortal is shown standing with raddled gown and headgear. His face, with contemplative expression, is carved with pronounced eyes and a crisply rendered beard, to which his gnarled hands and feet are in stark contrast.

Carved hardwood base with four feet and finely incised lappet border in slight relief, dating to the later Qing dynasty. (2)

Auction result comparison: Compare with a related Yixing Zisha figure of Shakyamuni from the same period at Christies New York, in Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, on 16 September 2016, lot 1339, sold for a hammer price of USD $40,000.

宜興紫砂仙人像，十七至十八世紀
中國，明末清初。造型精美，紫砂成深棕色調，整個為焦糖棕色。一些亮點，比如袍子上的許多大孔，讓人物塑造更加生動。

品相：狀況極佳，有磨損，弄髒和輕微的燒傷瑕疵。人物可能曾經用單獨的棍子或桿子固定。硬木底座固定在雕像上，只能由專業人員拆除（在任何情況下我們都不會嘗試拆除，即使底部可能有簽名或題詞），底座也顯示出明顯的使用痕跡，其下部很鬆散。
來源：奧地利私人收藏，據説1980年前購於當地市場，自此保存在同一家族至今。

重量：含硬木底座總重2,258 克
尺寸：34.3 厘米不含底座，38 厘米含底座