Page 79 - Christies Alsdorf Collection Part 1 Sept 24 2020 NYC

EXCEPTIONALLY RARE
AN

MING SCULPTURE OF THE

WHITE-ROBED GUANYIN

ROBERT D. MOWRY
Alan J. Dworsky Curator of Chinese Art Emeritus, Harvard Art Museums,
and Senior Consultant, Christie’s

Apart from its compelling beauty, this fifteenth- two arms, and two legs, though they in fact may be
century, Ming-dynasty sculpture representing the shown with multiple heads and limbs, depending upon
White-Robed Guanyin seated in the pose of royal ease the individual bodhisattva and the particular manifestation
is important for its impressive size and great rarity. as described in the sutras, or sacred texts. Richly attired,
Though frequently depicted in Buddhist paintings of bodhisattvas, who may be presented either standing or
the Song (AD 960–1279), Yuan (1279–1368), and Ming seated, are represented with long hair often arranged
(1368–1644) periods, the White-Robed Guanyin— in a tall coiffure, or bun, atop the head, typically with
who is identified by the cowl that covers the top and long strands of hair falling over the shoulders, and often
back of the head—is only infrequently portrayed in with a crown surrounding the high topknot. Bodhisattvas
contemporaneous sculptures. wear ornamental scarves, dhotis of rich silk brocade, and
a wealth of jewelry that typically includes necklaces,
Meaning “enlightened being”, a bodhisattva is a armlets, bracelets, and anklets. Like Buddhas, bodhisattvas
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benevolent being who has attained enlightenment but have distended earlobes; some wear earrings, others do
who has selflessly postponed entry into nirvana in order not. Though bodhisattvas generally are shown barefoot,
to assist other sentient beings in gaining enlightenment as in this sculpture, both early Indian and early Chinese
and thereby release from the samsara cycle of birth images of bodhisattvas may be shown wearing sandals,
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and rebirth. Bodhisattvas thus embody the Mahayana often of plaited straw. 3
Buddhist ideal of delivering all living creatures from
suffering. Thanks to the enormous stores they have This sculpture presents the bodhisattva seated on an
amassed, bodhisattvas are able to assist those in need elliptical mat of leaves in rajalilasana, or the pose of
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through the transfer of meritorious karma, a concept royal ease. The figure sits with back straight, body
known in Sanskrit as parinamana and in Chinese erect, shoulders nearly level, and the head upright, the
as huixiang. embodiment of perfect posture. The figure’s right leg
is flexed and pulled up with the knee at chest height,
Bodhisattvas are characteristically presented in the guise the gracefully extended right arm resting on the right
of an early Indian prince, a reference to Siddhartha knee and the palm and fingers of the relaxed right hand
Gautama’s worldly status before he became the Historical pointing downward. Parallel to the ground, the left leg
Buddha Shakyamuni, implying that just as Siddhartha is folded and pulled toward the body; tucked under the
(traditionally, c. 563–c. 483 BC), who was born a crown right thigh, the left foot is visible from the side of the
prince, became a Buddha, so will bodhisattvas eventually sculpture but not from the front. Held straight by the
become Buddhas, once all sentient beings have attained figure’s side, the left arm is lowered for support, with
enlightenment. As evinced by this majestic sculpture, the hand resting on the edge of the mat on which the
bodhisattvas generally are depicted with a single head, bodhisattva sits.

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