113 - AN EXCEPTIONAL AND MASTERFULLY CARVED LARGE (121 CM) WOOD FIGURE OF A RAKAN PRESENTING A JEWEL, IN THE KEI TRADITION, KAMAKURA TO MUROMACHI PERIOD

AN EXCEPTIONAL AND MASTERFULLY CARVED LARGE (121 CM) WOOD FIGURE OF A RAKAN PRESENTING A JEWEL, IN THE KEI TRADITION, KAMAKURA TO MUROMACHI PERIOD Japan, 14th-15th century, late Kamakura (1185-1333) to Muromachi period (1333-1573) Masterfully carved, the emaciated rakan stands upright, his separately carved right arm extended with the palm turned upward to present a pointed jewel, the slender fingers curling around its rounded base. His long monastic robe is secured at the left shoulder by a ring and knotted cord, leaving the opposite shoulder and part of the gaunt chest exposed, the ribs sharply articulated beneath the skin. The garment gathers across the abdomen in deeply undercut, overlapping folds before descending in long, weighty pleats, their rounded contours interrupted by sharply turned edges. The ample sleeves fall almost to the feet, the left arm concealed beneath the sweeping drapery. The face is carved with remarkable intensity, its prominent cheekbones and hollow cheeks accentuated by deeply furrowed brows and pronounced creases gathering around the eyes and mouth. The shaven head and elongated, pierced earlobes reinforce the ascetic character of the figure, while the open mouth reveals separately inset bone teeth. Particularly arresting are the eyes, painted behind glass, their dark pupils encircled by vivid gold-painted rings. Catching the light beneath the heavy brows, these luminous accents lend the gaze an extraordinary immediacy, commanding attention even from a distance. Together with the outstretched hand, the expression creates a direct, almost challenging engagement with the viewer. The feet are equally carefully observed, with individually articulated toes resting in open sandals. A single lotus seedpod is held between the great and second toes of each foot, its flattened head precisely detailed with individual seed cavities. The pronounced grain of the wood lends further texture to the taut anatomy and deeply carved folds, enhancing the contrast between the spare body and the enveloping robe. HEIGHT 107 cm (excl. stand), 121 cm (incl. wood base) Condition: Excellent condition with no repairs or restorations visible under UV light. Minor wear and age cracks as are to be expected. With a later large wood base, the figure mounted on two pegs and fully removable. EXPERT'S NOTE: The Kei tradition and its enduring expressive power The present rakan gives powerful expression to the naturalistic ideals of the Kei tradition. Closely observed anatomy, an emphatically individualized face, and deeply articulated drapery are united in a sculpture of arresting physical and spiritual presence. Brought to maturity by the great Kei masters of the late 12th and early 13th centuries, this sculptural language continued to flourish during the Muromachi period. Its expressive force is beautifully realized here in the contrast between the ascetic’s spare physique, the richly worked robes, and the commanding presentation of the jewel. Kaikei’s Ten Disciples of the Buddha at Daihoonji, Kyoto, dated to the 13th century (fig. 1), offer particularly illuminating comparisons. The open mouth and gaunt features of Daikasho (Mahakashyapa) convey an intense spiritual character, while Mokukenren (Maudgalyayana) combines exposed ribs with deeply cascading robes. These qualities are brought together with remarkable assurance in the present rakan: the sharply defined anatomy gives the body a compelling physical reality, while the sweeping drapery and extended hand animate the figure beyond its upright stance. Auction comparison: Compare a related wood figure of Jizo Bosatsu, dated to the Muromachi period, 95 cm high, at Christie’s, Art d’Asie, 8 June 2010, Paris, lot 414 (sold for EUR 91,000 or approx. EUR 120,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). Note the comparable scale, inset painted eyes, and treatment of the monastic robes. Due to length restriction on Drouot this entry is shortened. For full description please visit www.zacke.at.