Figure of a mourning attendant

The sculpture is in full round, showing a simply clad male figure with hands encased in his sleeves and held together in front, above the waist. The deeply furrowed brows, downcast eyes, downturned lips, and slight bend of the body at the waist appropriately express a servant’s sorrow at the loss of his master. Details of his robe, headdress, belt, and leather boots are carefully rendered.

Historical period(s)
Tang dynasty, 7th century
Medium
Limestone
Dimensions
H x W x D: 58.7 x 19.8 x 19.9 cm (23 1/8 x 7 13/16 x 7 13/16 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Purchase -- funds provided by the Friends of Asian Arts and Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S1996.37
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Sculpture, Stone
Type

Figure

Keywords
attendant, China, funerary, man, Tang dynasty (618 - 907), tomb
Provenance

To 1954
Tonying and Company, Inc., New York. [1]

1954
Sale, New York, Parke-Bernet Galleries Inc., Chinese Art: From the Collection of Tonying & Company, Inc., April 14 and 15, 1954, Sale #1511, lot 340: “Sculpted Stone Figure of a Gentleman-in-waiting.” [2]

To 1976
Greta S. Heckett (d. 1976), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. [3]

From 1976 to at least 1977
Estate of Greta S. Heckett, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. [4]

From at least 1988 to 1990
C.C. Wang (1907-2003), New York. [5]

1990
Sale, New York, Sotheby’s, The C.C. Wang Family Collection of Important Early Chinese Works of Art, November 27, 1990, Sale #6106, lot 46: “Rare Large Gray Limestone Figure of a Mourner.”[6]

Unknown collector. [7]

To 1996
J. J. Lally & Co. Oriental Art, New York, acquired from unknown collector. [8]

From 1996
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, purchased from J.J. Lally & Co., New York. [9]

Notes:

[1] The object was offered and sold at the Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York in April 1954 as part of the collection from Toying & Co., Inc. See object file, Collections Management Office.

[2] See note 1.

[3] The object was reoffered at a Sale by Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc., New York, Fine Chinese Works of Art: Including Snuff Bottles, Jade Carvings, Paintings, Archaic Bronzes, Sculpture, and Ceramics, June 1 and 2, 1977, Sale #4001, lot 377: “Rare Large Stone Figure of a Mourner” where it is listed as the Property from the Estate of Greta S. Heckett, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. According to the the Price List attached to the auction catalogue, it appears that the item did not sell at the auction. See copies in object file, Collections Management Office.

[4] See note 3.

[5] The object entered the collection of the Chinese painter C.C. Wang, who lived in New York, and was published in 1988 (Annette Juliano, "Bronze, Clay and Stone: Chinese Art in the C.C. Wang Family Collection" [Seattle & London: 1988], no. 73.) It was offered and sold at a Sale by Sotheby's, New York, The C.C. Wang Family Collection of Important Early Chinese Works of Art, November 27, 1990.

[6] See note 5. At the Sale, the object was purchased by an undetermined collector. See copy of purchase list, copy in object file.

[7] See letter from J.J. Lally & Co. to Jenny So dated November 24, 1995, copy in object file. At the time of this letter, the piece was owned by an unidentified collector.

[8] See note 7. See also letters and invoice from J.J. Lally & Co., copies in object file, Collections Management Office.

[9] See Acquisition Consideration Form, object file, Collections Management Office.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Estate of Greta S. Heckett
Sotheby's
J.J. Lally & Co. Oriental Art
Sotheby's (New York)
Greta S. Heckett
Tonying and Company established 1902
C.C. Wang China, 1907-2003; active United States

Description

The sculpture is in full round, showing a simply clad male figure with hands encased in his sleeves and held together in front, above the waist. The deeply furrowed brows, downcast eyes, downturned lips, and slight bend of the body at the waist appropriately express a servant's sorrow at the loss of his master. Details of his robe, headdress, belt, and leather boots are carefully rendered.

Published References
  • Sotheby's (New York). Sotheby's Auction Catalogue. New York, November 27, 1990. .
  • Annette Juliano. Bronze, Clay, and Stone: Chinese Art in the C.C. Wang Family Collection. Hong Kong and Seattle. cat. 73.
  • Thomas Lawton, Thomas W. Lentz. Beyond the Legacy: Anniversary Acquisitions for the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. vol. 1 Washington, 1998. p. 86.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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