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A PAIR OF POLYCHROME WOOD FIGURES OF KOMA-INU, KAMAKURA PERIOD
奥地利
09月11日 下午5点 开拍
拍品描述

Description

A PAIR OF POLYCHROME WOOD FIGURES OF KOMA-INU, KAMAKURA PERIOD
This lot is from a single owner collection and is therefore offered without reserve

Japan, 14th century. Finely carved to depict a pair of koma-inu (literally Korean dog), one shown with a single horn and with the mouth closed, uttering the syllable ‘un’, the other snarling with its mouth opened, uttering the syllable ‘a’. The separately carved tails are formed by finely crafted curls which appear like flames. (2)

Provenance: The Collection of Sam and Myrna Myers, Paris, France. Acquired between circa 1965-2012.
Condition: Overall good condition with extensive wear and natural imperfections including age cracks and fissures. Obvious losses, flaking to pigments, chips, weathering and erosion, encrustations, and splinters.

Dimensions: Height 39 cm and 32.5 cm

Koma-inu, literally “Korean dogs,” are lion-like guardian statues commonly placed in pairs at shrine and temple entrances to ward off evil. Believed to have arrived in Japan from China via Korea, their name derives from Koma, the Japanese word for the ancient Korean kingdom of Koguryo.

Stone and bronze lions began appearing as temple decorations during the Nara period (710–794), part of a sculptural lineage rooted in Indian and Chinese Buddhist art. Lions often flank images of the seated Buddha, symbolizing both protection and regal presence. By the early Heian period (9th century), the two statues were distinct: the right-hand figure, komainu, looked dog-like, with an open mouth (agyou) and sometimes a small horn; the left, shishi, was lion-like with a closed mouth (ungyou). Over time, both came to be called komainu, differing only in their open or closed mouths—a pairing known as a-un.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 27 March 2011, lot 841
Price: USD 37,500 or approx. EUR 46,400 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A pair of carved wood guardian dogs (koma inu), Kamakura period (13th-14th century)
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and similar stance and expression, and size (34.2 – 35.5 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 23 March 2025, lot 91
Price: USD 8,820 or approx. EUR 7,600 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A pair of carved wood sculptures of koma-inu (lion-dog), late Kamakura-early nanbokucho period (14th century)
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and similar stance, expression, and size (43.5 – 47.6 cm).

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价格信息

拍品估价:1,500 - 3,000 欧元 起拍价格:800 欧元  买家佣金: 35.00%

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Galerie Zacke
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