Three Chinese gilt-bronze Buddhist and votive figures
Sui-Tang dynasty, 6th-10th century; China
Comprising a standing lady attending, another a standing avaloketishvara holding a willow brand in its right hand adorned with a mandorla, and the other seated and robed Buddha with flame mandorla, 3 pieces
Tallest: 2.375" H; Shortest: 1.875" H
Provenance: James M. and Carol Plumer, Ann Arbor, MI
The Collection of Walter and Nesta Spink, Ann Arbor, MI, acquired from the above by 1992

Other Notes: James Marshall Plumer (1899-1960) and Walter Spink (1928-2019) were both Harvard-trained art historians who eventually became long-term faculty members in the burgeoning Asian art division of the History of Art Department at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Even so, they probably never met. In fact, it may have been James’ untimely death in 1960 that made way for Walter’s appointment to the department in 1961. These facts are both ironic and sad. The two men would have been fast friends, given their mutual passion for world travel, scholarship, teaching, and all forms of Asian art. On a happier note, Walter and Nesta Spink became lifelong friends with James’ widow, Carol, and her children, and did what they could to help keep James’ legacy alive.

A good number of the Chinese bronzes, and at least one of the ceramics in the Spink section of this auction were previously owned by the highly regarded scholar, professor, and collector, James Marshall Plumer and his wife Carol. Shortly after finishing at Harvard, James moved to China and spent 14 years (1923-1937) working as a member of the Chinese Maritime Customs Service while simultaneously pursuing his interests in Chinese art. It was during this time that he met and married Carol, who was working overseas as a missionary. According to Walter Spink, starting already during their earliest years together in China, the Plumers began to “…tour the local shops on weekends, developing a wonderful collection.”

Because of his extensive knowledge of Chinese geography, art and architecture, and his fluency in the language, James Plumer worked for various U.S. government agencies in China and Japan at different points throughout his professional life. His main passion, however, was for teaching, researching, and writing about art. For years, James served as editor of the Far Eastern Ceramic Bulletin. He wrote books such as Chinese Pottery: A Short Historical Survey (1947), and Japanese Pottery, Old and New (1951). He also completed a book on Japanese sculpture, published in 1958, which was originally started by his late mentor and friend, Langdon Warner. Unfortunately, James passed away suddenly due to a heart attack two years later and, like his mentor, he left behind an unfinished book. His was to have been based on one of his most heralded art historical accomplishments. In 1935, while exploring the Chinese countryside, James Plumer discovered the ancient kiln site of Temmoku ware, a highly prized type of stoneware, often black, and generally with a distinctive black glaze, that was most often associated with tea bowls dating back to the Sung / Song dynasty (960-1279 AD). The remarkable event was widely publicized at the time, including in the Illustrated London News. That unfinished book about Temmoku ware fell to his widow, Carol, who completed the book Temmoku: A Study of the Ware of Chien on her husband’s behalf in 1972.

Nesta and Walter Spink, as already mentioned, became close friends with Carol Plumer from the 1960s until her death in 1994. Carol would occasionally attend parties or meals at The Spink's home and would sometimes bring unexpected gifts, such as an ancient Chinese ceramic oil jar or a Seto ware plate (see Lot 1053). According to Walter Spink’s notes and correspondence, he and Nesta also gradually acquired over 50 early Chinese bronzes from the Plumer’s personal collection. Walter purchased them in small groups directly from Carol, but again, she also occasionally added one or two to his purchases as special gifts. In March of 1992, in a letter to Carol in which Walter spoke about having just returned from India, he informed her that he and Nesta had recently given an artwork to the university’s art museum in her honor for her ninetieth birthday (UMMA acc. # 1992/1.118). Walter concluded the letter by exclaiming to Carol, “When I finally get my bronze “display” done, you must come and see it – since most of the pieces will be old friends!”

General wear to the surface and most gilding lost. The standing haloed figure with '31-11' written in red on the back. The seated figure with '34-2X' written in red on the back. Condition reports are offered as a courtesy and are typically published in Moran's catalogue or can be made available upon request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of others. Buyers are responsible for determining to their own satisfaction the true nature and condition of any lot prior to bidding. Though buyers are not legally required to inspect lots prior to purchase, failure to do so may constitute a waiver of complaint that an item was not delivered in a condition equal to the existent condition at the auction.