A PAIR OF IMPORTANT POLYCHROME WOOD FIGURES OF DONGJA (BUDDHIST ATTENDANTS) Joseon dynasty (1392-1897), 19th centuryProperty of various ownersA PAIR OF IMPORTANT POLYCHROME WOOD FIGURES OF DONGJA (BUDDHIST ATTENDANTS)Joseon dynasty (1392-1897), 19th centuryCarved in wood and painted in pigments of red, green, blue, black, orange, and white, the figures dressed in monastic robes and carrying offerings of peaches and other delicacies, each figure with a hollow body containing a sutra scroll, one of which has been removed and now accompanies the lot 20 3/8in (51.7cm); 20 3/4in (52.7cm) highDongja are often depicted holding offerings such as auspicious fruits or flowers. It is likely that these figures were attendants to one of the Ten Kings of Hell and may have been placed in a temple's Hall of Ksitigarbha (see lot 1057). Each of these figures was carved from a single block of wood and finished with a hollow chest cavity to hold sacred objects or texts. X-ray imagery confirmed that each figure contained sutra scrolls. One of the two figures has been opened to reveal two printed texts.