Page 164 - Fine Chinese Art Christies London May 2018

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A LARGE BRONZE FIGURE OF GUANYIN
MING DYNASTY, 16TH-17TH CENTURY
The bodhisattva is cast with downcast eyes and serene expression, seated in
dhyanasana on a lotus base. Her right hand raised in vitarkamudra and the left
held in her lap. She is wearing ornate jewellery and layered robes with fnely
cast foral borders. The openwork crown has a seated fgure Amitabha Buddha
to the centre.
39º in. (99.6 cm.) high
£40,000-60,000 $57,000-84,000
€46,000-69,000

PROVENANCE
From a Private Asian Collection
Guanyin, known as Avalokitesvara in Sanskrit, is worshipped by both Chinese
and Tibetan Buddhists. Guanyin is held in great reverence and constantly
mentioned in the prayers of devout Tibetans as the patron deity of the frozen
land of the Tibetan Plateau. As one of the most popular bodhisattvas in
Chinese Buddhism, the worship of Guanyin has its roots in India and found
its way to China with the advent of Buddhism. According to Lotus Sutra:
The Universal Gates of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Guanyin is a bodhisattva
of great mercy, determined to relieve the sufering caused by the twelve
nidanas. Upon hearing the calls of suferers, Guanyin will come and rid them
of all miseries. As required, Guanyin can assume thirty-three forms to relieve
sufering.
Compare three large gilt-bronze fgures of Avalokitesvara seated on lotus
bases in the Chang Foundation, illustrated by J. Spencer, Buddhist Images
in Gilt Metal, Taipei, 1993, nos. 37-9, where all three are dated to 16th/17th
century.

明十六/十七世紀 銅觀音菩薩坐像
來源: 亞洲私人舊藏

162 Other fees apply in addition to the hammer price – see Section D of our Conditions of Sale at the back of this Catalogue