East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. A fabulous pair of wooden sculptures, each depicting a Buddhist monk riding a horse, wearing long robes and a flat-topped hat with side-flanges, all adorned by liberal remains of pigments including mercury red paint. Both figures have one arm at their side in an open fist, as though once holding the reins of their noble steed. Alternatively, their other arms are raised and each display a mudra - one with the prana mudra or "life force seal" intended for channeling life-giving energy and the other with the Gyan mudra of knowledge or wisdom. Each horse raises one hoof as though galloping forward while their riders sit atop saddles and saddle blankets. Size (both about the same): 11.3" L x 7.5" W x 20.8" H (28.7 cm x 19 cm x 52.8 cm)
Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection, acquired from 1990 to 2005
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#192630
Condition
One figure is missing cover to cavity in back. Ear of one horse has been reattached with adhesive visible; one ear of other horse missing. Both have pressure fissures to wood, areas of old, inactive insect damage, and chips, but otherwise have nice presentations and good remaining pigment and detail.