Blanc De Chine Statue of Ma Ku - K’ang Hsi 1662-172 (02/14/2011)...

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Blanc De Chine Statue of Ma Ku - K’ang Hsi 1662-1722

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Blanc De Chine Statue of Ma Ku - K’ang Hsi 1662-1722

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Sold Date: 02/14/2011
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

This statue was a lamp when purchased at auction by my parents in 1948. It was purchased for $250 at an auction house in Los Angeles near the May Company at Wilshire and Fairfax. I was 7 at the time, but remember riding there in my dad’s new ’48 Oldsmobile. I also remember the arguing, about the price my dad paid for it, all the way home. The following is the write up in the catalog:

Very fine Blanc De Chine Ma Ku Figure Lamp – Uplifted right hand; the left arm is crooked and holds the scepter; beside her stands a sacred fawn having a basket of flowers on its back. Eggshell velvet shade and base mounting. K’ang Hsi reign. K’ang Hsi 1662-1722. The last picture is a scan of the original from 1948 which will be shipped with the statue.

Ma Ku was the goddess of Springtime. The deer is a symbol of longevity and ceaseless energy. Blanc De Chine: Fine white porcelain of South China, specifically Tehua in Fujian. The statue stands between 20 and 21 inches tall and the base is 5 x 7 inches.

When the lamp shade became shabby and we couldn’t find anything suitable to replace it, I removed the statue from the lamp base and it was displayed in a curio cabinet along with my parents other Chinese artifacts (which are also being auctioned.)

When we lived in Fairfax, VA, the Antique Road Show came to Richmond, about an hour and a half drive. My wife wanted to go and we each picked something to have appraised. I took “The Lady” as we referred to the statue. I figured that if it was worth $250 in 1948 dollars, it would be worth a fortune in today’s inflated economy. The appraiser said it was worth between $6-700. As an investment, the money would have been better in the bank. I’m starting the bidding at $250 since that’s what my folks payed for it. We’ll see what it’s really worth at the end. I don’t need the money - I need the space. It’s been stored in a box in the attic for the last three years, since we don’t have a place for it in our retirement home. I grew up with this statue and would really like to see it in the hands of someone that will appreciate it. It's probably the only antique, other than firearms, that I've ever liked.

I’m figuring 12 pounds shipping via Priority Mail insured, and the purchase of a couple of boxes. It will be double boxed. I’m asking you pay $50 for shipping, but will refund all but what it actually costs. I will ship it by any means you desire. USPS has a pretty good rate calculator on the Web and I don’t usually get hurt on shipping costs when I use it. Will only ship to addresses that the USPS delivers to.