Carving of Shakymuni Buddha as an ascetic

Historical period(s)
Late Ming or Qing dynasty, 17th-18th century
Medium
Jade
Dimensions
H x W x D: 15.9 x 10.8 x 8.4 cm (6 1/4 x 4 1/4 x 3 5/16 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Gift of Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S1987.723
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Jade, Sculpture
Type

Buddhist sculpture

Keywords
abhaya mudra, ascetic, Buddha, Buddhism, China, Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644), Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911)
Provenance

From at least 1957 to 1968
Desmond Gure (1905-1970), London, from at least November 1957 [1]

From 1968 to 1987
Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987), New York, purchased from Desmond Gure on January 10, 1968 [2]

From 1987
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, gift of Arthur M. Sackler on September 11, 1987 [3]

Notes:

[1] Gure lent the object to an exhibition organized by the Oriental Ceramic Society under the title “The Arts of the Ming Dynasty” in London at the Arts Council Gallery from November 15 to December 14, 1957, see Transactions of the Oriental Ceramics Society 1955-56 1956-57, vol.30 (1958), p. 79, no. 350, pl. 95. See also an undated typed inventory of Desmond Gure’s collection, “List 1 – Objects Not Exhibited at Stockholm 1963,” no. 94: “A pale green jade figure of Buddha, seated with his hands in the meditation mudra – 6 ¼ in. high – Ming dynasty - stand,” copy in object file.

[2] According to information provided by Arthur M. Sackler Foundation in October 2009, Arthur M. Sackler purchased the jade as part of Desmond Gure’s jade collection on January 10, 1968. See “Arthur M. Sackler Gift: Chinese Jades: Summary,” where the object is listed under Sackler Collection no. J-1306 and identified as S1987.723.

[3] Pursuant to the agreement between Arthur M. Sackler and the Smithsonian Institution, dated July 28, 1982, legal title of the donated objects was transferred to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery on September 11, 1987.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Desmond Gure 1905-1970
Dr. Arthur M. Sackler 1913-1987

Published References
  • Sir John Figgess, John Ayers, Ann Paludan, Peter Hardie, James J. Lally. Transactions of the Oriental Ceramics Society (1955-1957). Transactions of the Oriental Ceramics Society, vol. 30, pl. 95 London. pl. 95, fig. 350.
  • Jessica Rawson, John Ayers. Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages: An Exhibit. Exh. cat. London. fig. 380.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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