A rare and large gilt-lacquered wood figure of Magu, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722)

Lot 204. A rare and large gilt-lacquered wood figure of Magu, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period (1662-1722). Hauteur totale: 146 cm. (57 ½ in.). Hauteur de la statue: 140 cm. (55 1/8 in.). Estimate EUR 40,000 - EUR 60,000. Price realised EUR 50,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2018.

Elle est représentée assise sur un fauteuil. Elle est vêtue d'une robe faite en partie de feuilles, ses épaules sont recouvertes par une capeline. Sa main gauche repose sur sa cuisse, sa main droite est légèrement relevée au niveau de sa poitrine. L'expression de son visage est paisible. Ses cheveux sont coiffés en chignon ; petites restaurations. 

Provenance: Formerly in a French private collection, Paris, acquired from Au vieux Venise, 58 Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris, on 18 November 1982.

Worshiped by many believers in their popular cults, Magu is one of the most popular Daoist female deity in Chinese mythology. 

Associated with the elixir of life, she is often depicted as an elegant beautiful lady carrying a Longevity peach and accompanied by a deer and Xiwangmu, the Queen Mother of the West. In our present sculpture, Magu is recognizable by her elongated birdlike fingernails and her robedecorated with artemisia leaves. Sculptures of Magu appear to far less common than those of Guandi or Guanyin. Its monumental size suggest that it was probably made for an important Daoist temple. Compare to another slightly earlier dated gilt-lacquered wood fgure of Weituo Pusa, of a smaller size (133 cm.), sold in Christie’s London, 10 November 2015, lot 239.  

A rare large gilt-lacquered wood figure of Weituo Pusa, Ming dynasty, 17th century; 52 ½ in. (133 cm.) high. Sold for 47,500 GBP at Christie’s London, 10 November 2015, lot 239. © Christie's Images Ltd 2015.

The standing guardian is finely carved with both hands resting on a serpent sceptre. He is wearing heavy armour bound with cords and with monster mask epaulets at the shoulders, with a celestial scarf billowing above the shoulders and trailing down the sides. His face is delicately carved with a serene expression. (Estimate GBP 20,000 - GBP 30,000)

Provenance: From the collection of a distinguished European collector.

Note: Characteristically depicted with the face of a child to represent his purity, Weituo Pusa is one of the thirty-two generals under the four Guardian Kings deemed to protect and maintain the Buddhist dharma. Large figures of Weituo were therefore usually placed in Buddhist temples.

Christie's. Art d'Asie, Paris, 13 June 2018