An extremely rare underglaze-red figure of an acolyte. Ming Dynasty, Hongwu Period.

 

An extremely rare underglaze-red figure of an acolyte. Ming Dynasty, Hongwu Period. photo Sotheby's

boldly modeled standing on a high lotus base, his shoulders slightly bowed, with hands held together in prayer, wearing a short floral-decorated apron over a plain dhoti, billowing as if windswept, the bare chest with an elaborate lotus and bead pendant flanked by a short scarf draped over the shoulders, the head with well-defined features and hair drawn into a topknot and two coiled plaits at the nape, all beneath an unctuous bubbly glaze of slightly bluish tint pooling along the recesses of the folds and knees, the underglaze-red and pale purple tone with splashes of bright red; height 14 1/2 in., 36.8 cm. Estimate 80,000—120,000 USD. Lot Sold 338,500 USD

Sotheby's. Informing the Eye of the Collector: Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art from J.T. Tai & Co. 22 Mar 11. New York www.sothebys.com