CHINA, KANGXI PERIOD (1661-1722) - Lot 37

CHINA, KANGXI PERIOD (1661-1722) Important midnight-blue and turquoise enameled porcelain group depicting a seated scholar, holding an open book on his left, describing an ancient poem encouraging children to succeed in their studies. On a fabric base. H. 46 cm (Numerous cracks and chips, restorations to the head, missing hands and back of head) Note Likely depiction of Tang dynasty Chinese poet Luo Binwang (c. 640-684). Cf. Bruno Belpaire, "Le poète chinois Lo Pin-wang / introduction et traduction", Bruxelles, Éditions de l'Occident, 1962. Provenance Private collection of Monsieur Auguste Gérard (1852-1922), French ambassador to China (1893-1897) and Japan (1907-1913). Then by descent to the present owner. Lot possibly mentioned as "large blue statuette representing the poet Lô" in the sixth line of the inventory of objects entrusted by Monsieur Auguste Gérard, French ambassador to Tokyo, to M. Paul du Toict, Bould. du Régent 25 in Brussels in 1906. An anonymized copy of the page concerning this lot can be delivered to the buyer. Note Viscount Paul du Toict (1847-1909) was a member of the administrative committee of the Société Royale des Beaux-Arts de Bruxelles, which organized art exhibitions. He was also former president of the Belgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.