A LIMESTONE FIGURE OF A TWO-HORNED MYTHICAL BEAST, GAZING AT THE MOON, TANG DYNASTY


Expert’s note:
The pose of this mythical beast reflects depictions of recumbent xiniu and indicates that the present design may have served as a prototype for later depictions of this subject. The design of a xiniu gazing at the moon gained popularity in the Song dynasty and through the 13th and 14th centuries, appearing on Dingyao and Yaozhou bowls and dishes as well as textiles and elsewhere in Chinese decorative arts. The theme is discussed at length by Jan Wirgin, in “Sung Ceramic Designs,” B.M.F.E.A., No. 42, Stockholm, 1970, pp. 196-198. According to Wirgin, the term hsi-niu (xiniu) meant rhinoceros in ancient Chinese texts, but the rhinoceros became extinct in the post-archaic period, and by the Song dynasty the xiniu had become a beast of legend, known only through literary references. The design of a xiniu gazing at the moon illustrates the popular myth that the unique crescent-shaped horns of the rhinoceros enable the beast to magically “communicate with the sky”. The powers attributed to the horns of the rhinoceros in the Song dynasty continued to gain in complexity and popularity in later periods.

China, 618-907. Resting on a massive rectangular base, the mythical beast strongly resembles a two-horned xiniu gazing at the moon and sits recumbent with its head turned back towards its haunches. The creature has its tail tucked underneath it, visibly resting atop its right-back leg. Breathing out the wind, the curling whisps surround a moon-like disk above the beast’s abdomen. The wrinkled brow of the beast animates its wide-open eyes as it strains to breathe out. The stone contains natural veins of a light-red hue.


Provenance:
From the collection of Bo Ive (1922-1981), Denmark, and thence by descent within the same family.

Condition:
Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, scratches, nicks, chips, minor losses, signs of weathering and erosion, the stone with natural fissures.

Weight: 6.8 kg
Dimensions: Length 25 cm


Auction result comparison:

Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 23 March 2012, lot 1762
Price: USD 16,250 or approx.
EUR 20,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gray limestone figure of a lion, Tang dynasty, 7th-8th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related color, veining and treatment of the limestone. Observe the similar expression of the lion. Note the size (20.3 cm).




唐代石灰石犀牛望月


中國，618-907年。犀牛為俯臥狀，前蹄支地，後蹄自然壓於身下，回首望向背部如意雲紋中升起圓月。牛眼有神。石紋呈淺紅色。


專家注釋：
關於“犀牛”這個主題可以在 Wirgin，《Sung Ceramic Designs，B.M.F.E.A.，編號42，Stockholm 1970年，第 196-198頁 中討論。據Wirgin所說，“犀牛”到了宋代，犀牛已成為傳說中的野獸，僅通過文學參考才知道。中國陶瓷器皿中的犀牛觀月圖案，闡釋了野獸通過角神奇地“與天溝通”的神話，十分流行。


來源：
丹麥Bo Ive (1922-1981) 收藏，在同一家族保存至今。

品相：
品相良好，大面積磨損、劃痕、刻痕、缺損、風化和侵蝕跡象，石料帶有天然沖線。

重量：6.8 公斤
尺寸：長25 釐米


拍賣結果比較：

形制：相近
拍賣：紐約佳士得，2012年3月23日，lot 1762
價格：USD 16,250（相當於今日
EUR 20,000
）
描述：七至八世紀灰石灰石獅像
專家評論：比較非常相近的顏色、石灰石的脈紋和處理。觀察獅子的相似表情。請注意尺寸(20.3 釐米)。