A FAHUA-DECORATED BISCUIT FIGURE OF KSITIGARBHA, LATE MING DYNASTY
China, 16th-17th century. Well modeled seated in dhyanasana on a double lotus base, the hands lowered in dhyanamudra, wearing a long-flowing robe and ruyi collar, adorned in beaded jewelry, the neatly detailed face with a serene expression marked by heavy-lidded almond-shaped eyes and slender lips forming a subtle smile, the hair arranged in tight curls and surmounted by a five-leaf crown.

Provenance: Old French private collection.
Condition: Presents well. Traces of use and wear, firing flaws, small chips and losses, some old touchups and repairs. Overall commensurate with age.

Weight: 616.6 g
Dimensions: Height 17.7 cm

Areas of the body and garments left unglazed revealing the gray stoneware, the reverse with a half-oval aperture.

Known as Dayuan Dizang Pusa in China, Ksitigarbha is the supreme leader of the underworld. He vowed to take responsibility for the instruction of all beings in the six worlds and not achieve Buddhahood unless all hells were emptied. He is typically represented wearing a five-pointed crown, often depicting each of the five Dhyani Buddhas, paired with monastic robes.

Auction result comparison: Compare a larger famille rose figure of Ksitigarbha, dated to the Qianlong/Jiaqing period, at Sotheby's New York in Important Chinese Art on 15 March 2017, lot 537, sold for USD 492,500 (price for two figures). Compare also a related but larger fahua figure of Zhenwu, also dated to the late Ming dynasty, at Sotheby's New York in Asian Art on 18 March 2017, lot 1036, sold for USD 8,125.

明末琺華地藏菩薩坐像
中國，十六至十七世紀。造像端正，端坐於雙層蓮座上，雙手結禪那印，身著長袍，如意云領，佩戴珠飾，面容端莊，神情安詳，杏仁眼， 唇角一抹淡淡的笑意，頭頂五葉冠。

來源：法國私人老收藏。
品相：品相很好，有使用和磨損的痕跡，燒製缺陷，小碎片和缺損，一些舊的修飾和修補。 總體與其年齡相符。

重量：616.6 克
尺寸：高17.7 厘米

拍賣結果比較：一對更大的粉彩地藏菩薩，乾隆至嘉慶年代，于紐約蘇富比 Important Chinese Art 2017年3月15日lot 537, 售價USD 492,500; 一件相似但更大的明末琺華真武像于紐約蘇富比 Asian Art 2017年3月18日 lot 1036, 售價USD 8,125。