A CINNABAR LACQUER BUDAI, QING DYNASTY, POSSIBLY BY LU GUISHENG
A CINNABAR LACQUER BUDAI, QING DYNASTY, POSSIBLY BY LU GUISHENG
The ceramic statue entirely covered with a thick layer of rich cinnabar lacquer, carved and incised in deep relief
China, Qing dynasty (1644-1912), 18th-19th century
The smiling happy Buddha depicted in his usual laid-back seated position with a prayer bead in his right hand. His garment decorated in neatly incised swastika and key fret borders, the quality of which could lead one to believe that this could even be and 18th century work. The base with black lacquer coating.
This figure appears to be carved in the style of the Qing master carver, Lu Guisheng, who is famous for his signed lacquer panels and is also known to have carved lacquer figures. See a taller finely carved lacquer figure of the God of Longevity, Shoulao, illustrated in Derek Clifford, Chinese Carved Lacquer, London, 1992, pl. 123.
Dimensions: WIDTH 9 CM
Condition: Visible break near the right foot. Deep patina and wear consistent with age.
Provenance From the collection of Nelson T Johnson, US ambassador to the Republic of China from 1935 to 1941, and thence by descent.