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A Wood Figure of Uga Benzaiten Flanked by Bishamonten and Kichijoten in Shrine Case (Zushi)
- MUROMACHI PERIOD (16TH CENTURY)

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A Wood Figure of Uga Benzaiten Flanked by Bishamonten and Kichijoten in Shrine Case (Zushi)
MUROMACHI PERIOD (16TH CENTURY)
Estimate
(Set Currency)
    $30,000 - $40,000

Sale Information

Sale 2193
japanese & korean art
17 September 2009
New York, Rockefeller Plaza

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Lot Description

A Wood Figure of Uga Benzaiten Flanked by Bishamonten and Kichijoten in Shrine Case (Zushi)
Muromachi period (16th century)
The central figure of the eight-armed Uga Benzaiten seated on a stepped lotus platform on the sea and holding in the principal right hand the treasure stick, in the principal left hand the gem, and in the other hands the lock and bow, the four other hands posed to hold further accoutrements, the rear raised arms framing the gilded copper headdress set with the Buddhist Wheel of the Law below a Shinto torii shrine gate and the Sun and Moon, both white beads, the head surmounted by the coiled snake with the bearded head of the old man Ugajin, another emblem of Uga Benzaiten, carved in matching wood, and the robes of the three figures painted in gold with elaborate diaper patterns, the central deity's robe across the lower torso additionally painted with precious emblems and the shoe black painted with gold foliage; faces of the figures finished reddish brown and the hair black and the mandorlas of the smaller deities gilt copper; the platform carved in high relief with waves and rocks on a base of red lacquer with apron pierced with gold panels of lotus jewels and scrolling flowers

The shrine case painted on the interior doors and into the interior case in colors and gold with the fifteen boy attendants (doji) of Uga Benzaiten, the sea, and the cart and dragon boat of the attendant Sensha, the exterior of the shrine black lacquer and the mounts gilt copper cast on the front in large plates in the shape of lotus blossoms and curving foliage, the lock cast in the form of two back-to-back phoenixes and the vertical bar mounted with two Wheels of the Law bordered by reserves of scrolling foliage
21in. (53.4cm.) high

Pre-Lot Text

Property of the Family of an Important Hereditary Shinto Priesthood

Lot Notes

For a painting of Uga Benzaiten and her fifteen boy attendants in this sale, see illustration and catalogue note of lot 1063.

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