A SET OF SIX BODHI LEAF PAINTINGS, QING DYNASTY China, 19^th century. One leaf depicting a member of the Imperial family, seated on a throne, dressed in a yellow robe embellished with dragons, and holding a ruyi scepter, flanked by a servant. The other leaves with different courtiers and civil officials of high rank and their attendants, within borders of bats, fish, and auspicious symbols.

Provenance: British trade.
Condition: Good condition, the leaves and paint with minor wear, minuscule tears and losses. The frames with a few nicks and minor chips.

Dimensions: Size incl. frame 51.3 x 17 cm

The two sets of three leaves each framed behind glass. (2)

The bodhi tree, also known as the ficus religiosa, is one of the most sacred trees in Buddhism. Special religious significance is given to this form of leaf painting because the Historical Buddha Shakyamuni (circa 563-483 B.C.E.), also known as Siddhartha Gautama, obtained enlightenment under the bodhi tree at Bodhgaya in India. Many temples throughout China planted Ficus religiosa, a tree known for its great size and longevity, and a tradition of leaf art emerged for copying sutras or painting Buddhist images.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby's New York, 15 September 2018, lot 1476
Estimate: USD 8,000 or approx. EUR 9,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Set of Sixteen 'Luohan' Paintings on Bodhi Leaves Qing Dynasty, 19th Century
Expert remark: Note that the paintings depict Buddhist motifs and there is a total of 16 leaves in this lot.


清代菩提葉彩繪人物圖六幅
中國，十九世紀。以菩提樹葉為繪製素材媒介，設色描繪，佛教八寶法器為框，内彩繪清朝人物肖像。

來源：英國古玩交易市場。
品相：狀況良好，葉子和顔料有輕微磨損，輕微撕裂和缺損。外框有一些刻痕和小缺口。

尺寸：51.3 x 17厘米

兩組，每組分別三幅人物畫，玻璃裝框 (2)。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：紐約蘇富比，2018年9月15日，lot 1476
估價：USD 8,000（相當於今日EUR 9,000）
描述：十九世紀一組十六羅漢菩提葉彩繪圖
專家評論：請注意佛教主題，以及共有十六葉。