Lot 16
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East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. This is a fine pair of hand-carved wood architectural panels or lintels of dragons that may have once been part of a temple or other special building. They are both carved in high relief with openwork areas that create the dynamic forms: bulging eyes, a gaping mouth with a protruding tongue, flowing mane projecting from atop the head, and a curving sinuous body lined with dozens of painted scales. The turning head and curving presentation of the hair and whiskers creates the sense of motion and flying which adds to the wondrous appearance to the creatures. Both are painted with red, blue, white, and yellow with exceptional details such as stripes and flowers added to the scales. Dragons are symbolic of strength, benevolence, change, and the power of the emperor, and displaying such effigies was meant as a sign of physical and spiritual protection. Size of longer panel: 27" L x 4" W x 10" H (68.6 cm x 10.2 cm x 25.4 cm); other: 25" L x 5" W x 11" H (63.5 cm x 12.7 cm x 27.9 cm)
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-M. Kobiashi collection, Hawaii, USA, 1960 to 2000
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#168547
- Condition: Old inactive insect bore holes and cavities on the verso of the larger panel. Losses to wood layers and old repairs with wood pieces to these areas on verso. The front dragon is well preserved. Chips to a few areas and surface abrasions and stable pressure fissures. Other panel has signs of old inactive insect activity and stable pressure fissures and chips. Russet patina on the 2 protruding nails. Fading of pigments on both, but overall forms are well preserved and have nice weathering and aging.
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|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |