China, 17th century. Masterfully carved as a luduan standing foursquare, the face showing a quizzical expression with large bulging eyes, a broad nose reminiscent of a ruyi head, and the mouth wide open revealing two fangs and the flat tongue, the curling mane and other details finely incised.Provenance: French private collection.Condition: Good condition with minor wear, natural age cracks, a chip to one eyebrow, minor old repairs to the tips of two horns (inspected under blue light), the tail is lost. Superb reddish-brown patina with an unctuous feel and natural shine.Weight: 902.5 gDimensions: Height 21.2 cmThe throne of the Emperor of China in the Hall of Supreme Harmony has two incense burners shaped as Luduans, the legendary Chinese auspicious creatures who can travel 18,000 li (9,000 km) in a single day and speak all world languages. A legend says that a Luduan once appeared to Genghis Khan and convinced him to abandon his efforts to conquer India.Auction result comparison: A similar bamboo root figure of a lion and cub was sold by Sotheby's Hong Kong in Gems of Chinese Art – The Speelman Collection II on 3 October 2018, lot 3420, for HKD 375,000.十七世紀竹根雕甪端 中國,十七世紀。竹根巧雕甪端,臉部表情古怪,大眼睛鼓起,鼻子寬大,猶如如意,張開的嘴巴露出兩個獠牙和舌頭,捲曲的鬃毛。 來源:法國私人收藏 品相:狀況良好,輕微磨損,自然年代裂痕,丟失一邊眉毛,兩角尖端通過藍光檢查經過較小的舊修,丟失了尾巴。精美的紅棕色包漿,給人一種樸實的感覺,光澤自然。 重量: 902.5 克 尺寸:高 21.2 厘米 拍賣結果比較:一件相似竹根雕刻太獅少獅售于香港蘇富比Gems of Chinese Art – The Speelman Collection II 拍場,2018年10月3日,拍號3420, 售價HKD 375,000。