Page 36 - 2021 March 16th Indian, Himalayan and Tibetan Art, Bonhams NYC New York

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A GILT COPPER ALLOY FIGURE OF CUNDI (ZHUNTI GUANYIN)
LATE MING/EARLY QING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY
Himalayan Art Resources item no.16911
8 in. (20.3 cm) high
$60,000 - 80,000

明末/清初 十七世紀 銅鎏金準提觀音像

Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin) is the most popularly worshipped bodhisattva in Chinese Buddhism,
taking several forms. Here, in a form known as Cundi Avalokiteshvara (Zhunti Guanyin)—’The
Goddess of the Seventy Million Buddhas’—the bodhisattva personifies a potent incantation
called the Cundi Dharani. Her eighteen arms (sixteen of which hold implements) symbolize the
eighteen paths of attaining Buddhahood as described in her incantation. Cundi is invoked to
purify karma, attract resources, grant protection, and promote an auspicious rebirth.

This gilt-bronze depiction is likely a rare 17th-century example created during the transition
between Ming and Qing dynasties. Stylistic features of the Ming dynasty include high-waisted
lower garments tied with prominent bows, crown types with large central panels rather than
five equidistant leaves, and teardrop floral earrings. These features are represented by a 16th-
century bronze of the same deity sold at Sotheby’s, New York, 20 March 2019, lot 686 (also
see Poly Auction, Hong Kong, 2 April 2018, lot 3525). However, they have been modified
with Qing-dynasty characteristics including a head and arms of more naturalistic proportions,
armbands and bracelets consisting of double beaded chains mounted with a single
jewel, and silks engraved with a sunflower motif. Similar are represented in a 17th-century
Qing Amitayus published in Xia (ed.), Puti Miaoxiang, Liaoning, 2001, p.158, no.151.

Published
Philip Rawson, Sacred Tibet (Art and Imagination), Singapore, 1991, p.84.

Provenance
Baron von Mumins Collection, Lhasa, 1929
Philip Goldman Collection, London
Sotheby’s, New York, 21 March 2002, lot 153
Private West Coast Collection

34 | BONHAMS