Figure - Gilt bronze - A Large Gilt Bronze Figure of Xiwangmu, The Royal Ontario Museum till 1969 - China - Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) , 17th century. Height 32,5 cm. With fitted wooden stand. Provenance: The Royal Ontario Museum till 1969, Canada From a Single Owner Canadian Collection, featuring objects, Deaccessioned from the Royal Ontario Museum in 1969 Auction result comparison: For a closely related gilt bronze figure of Xiwangmu, sharing the near identical facial features see, Christie’s New York, Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art part I, 17 – 18 March 2016, lot 1422 sold for $7500, – Please see picture # 17. The Daoist Queen Mother of the West sits with both feet pendent holding the Peaches of Immortality (pantao) in both hands. She is dressed in heavy robes, and wears a phoenix-form headdress. * The Queen Mother of the West, known by various local names, is a goddess in Chinese religion and mythology, also worshipped in neighbouring Asian countries, and attested from ancient times. The first historical information on her can be traced back to oracle bone inscriptions of the fifteenth century BC that record sacrifices to a “Western Mother”. Even though these inscriptions illustrate that she predates organized Taoism, she is most often associated with Taoism. From her name alone some of her most important characteristics are revealed: she is royal, female, and is associated with the west. The growing popularity of the Queen Mother of the West, as well as the beliefs that she was the dispenser of prosperity, longevity, and eternal bliss took place during the second century BC when the northern and western parts of China were able to be better known because of the opening of the Silk Road. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. It will be professionally packed and safely send by Fed. Ex. Buyers are responsible for import regulation and restrictions of their own country About us Becker Antiques is one of the most leading reputable antique dealers in the Netherlands. Becker Antiques is a name and place that speaks of excellent antiques and art, outstanding service and worldwide expertise. Founded in 1969 by Jan Simon Becker, Becker Antiques is based in Museum quarter, Amsterdam Oud-Zoud, in a magnificent five-floor townhouse build 1891, at a few minutes from “Rijksmuseum” (National Museum of Art) , the Van Gogh Museum and the famous “Royal Concertgebouw”. Becker Antiques main field covers ceramics – pottery funerary figures (dated from the Han through the Ming dynasties) , Buddhist sculptures and other Chinese works of art. Our other sections are Asian works of art – concerns objects from Japan and South East Asian countries including bronze, stone and wooden sculptures, Chinese furniture from the Qing Dynasty and of course occasional other items. For the last 50 years we have been selling antiques to museums, private collectors and dealers all over the world.