Lot 320 A CHINESE BRONZE FIGURE OF A SCHOLAR RIDING A DONKEY,19TH CENTURY

Finely cast in bronze, depicting a scholar seated astride a donkey, the animal rendered with a lowered head, finely modeled mane, harness and long curling tail. The rider is portrayed wearing a broad-brimmed scholar's hat and voluminous robes, with a long beard and moustache, holding an open book or scroll before him. His robes are finely modelled with naturalistic folds, while the saddle cloth is decorated with elaborate archaistic and scrolling motifs. The figure is distinguished by its highly polished dark brown patina, contrasting with the more textured surfaces of the saddle cloth, hat and garments. The donkey is naturalistically modeled with slender legs and detailed hooves. 46 by 45 by 19 cm.