$38,513
Life-Size Carved Wood Statue of Bonten, Japan, late 19th century, probably by Takamura Koun, copy of an eighth-century statue of Bonten in the Hokkedo (Sangatsudo [March Hall]) at Todai-ji in Nara, carved from Japanese cypress wood, remains from the original polychrome lacquered surface, ht. approx. 78 in. Provenance: Given to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, by William Sturgis Bigelow in 1911. Deaccessioned from the Museum in 1964, and in a Massachusetts private collection since. N.B. According to the old accession card the copyist was Takayama Koun, which may have been an incorrect transcription for the nineteenth-century sculptor who was associated with the early founders of the Japanese collection in the Museum of Fine Arts was Takamura Koun (1852-1934), also known for his Buddhist statues. condition is as seen in the catalogue image and addition photos online, cannot tell what "antiguing" the sculptor intended to make it look like the ancient original work
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2010-06-25
