China, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

An unusual figure standing on one leg and wearing loosely fitting clothes. His right arm is raised while his left hand clutches a table to his side. His uncomely face has a fierce open-mouthed expression and large threatening eyes to ward off demons and devils. The figure depicts Kuixing, the Star Ghost, who serves also as the God of Literature and who gives inspiration to candidates taking the civil service examinations. He usually holds a brush (missing in this figure) in one hand and a scroll or tablet symbolizing literature in the other. Chinese folklore has it that if this ghost appears in the dream of a scholar the night before the civil service examination, a successful outcome will follow.

H: 6 3/8in. (16cm.) excluding wooden base

Provenance: John Fang, Ji Zhen Zai Collection [literally, Collection of treasures of the Studio)

Exhibited: Chinese Scholar's Treasures from the Jizhen Zhai Collection, Chinese Culture Center, San Francisco, 1997

Published: Fang jing Pei, Treasures of the Chinese Scholar (Weatherhill, 1997), fig. 87, p.97.

Ref. SA373

Condition: Overall in fairly good condition, considering the age and material. There is some small old chipping to the raised hand, and the raised foot has been replaced. The raised arm is made from a separate piece of ivory.

SOLD