Page 54 - 2019 September 11th Bonhams Lewis Collection Japanese and Korean Art NYC

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A SMALL POLYCHROME WOOD FIGURE OF KISHIMONJIN A WOOD FIGURE OF SHO-KANNON (AVALOKITESHVARA)
(HARITI) Muromachi period (1333-1573), 15th/16th century
Edo period (1615-1868), 18th/19th century Standing on a lotus platform, the right hand lowered in the vow-
Also known as Kariteimo, a Buddhist protector of children and the fulfilling gesture and the left hand now lost, draped with a scarf
Lotus Sutra, standing in Chinese-style robes and cradling an infant over the shoulders falling in loops at the knees and shins, the hair
in her left arm, her right hand positioned to hold a spray of fruiting gathered into a tall chignon above a narrow crown, traces of pigment
pomegranates (now missing), the figure set on a rockwork base and 17 7/8in (45.5cm) high overall, 14 1/8 in (35.7cm) high (figure only)
framed by a gilt-bronze nimbus with three flaming jewels on lotus
petals $4,000 - 6,000
25cm high (including mandorla)
Provenance
$2,000 - 3,000 Previously sold, Christie’s, New York, November 5, 1988, lot 709-A

Kishimonjin was originally a fierce spirit who kidnapped children and
fed them to her own offspring. After realizing the pain and suffering
she caused countless parents, she converted to Buddhism and
adopted the role of protector of all children.

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