Page 6 - Bonhams Image of Devotion Hong Kong December 2, 2021

1 - 1000
No lots

1001
A SILVER FIGURE OF MANJUSHRI
JAVA, INDONESIA, CIRCA 9TH CENTURY
Seated on a separately-cast copper alloy base.
8.5 cm (3 3/8 in.) high

HKD160,000 - 200,000

爪哇 印度尼西亞 約九世紀 文殊菩薩銀像

This silver cast figure depicts Manjushri with a round, plump face
and a pleasant smile, exuding presence despite its small stature. The
sculpture fits easily in one’s hand, exemplifying Javanese craftsmen’s
delight in miniaturization, while having a smooth surface and patina
indicative of past worship. These silver sculptures were often placed
on bronze pedestals with halos to enshrine the figure. Compare with a
larger Javanese silver statue of Manjushri in Fontein, The Sculpture of
Indonesia, 1990, p.194, no.46. A similar stylistic treatment of the halo
and regalia is also with a sculpture in Pal, The Sensuous Immortals,
1978, p.192, no.116.

Provenance
Private Hong Kong Collection

4 | BONHAMS